The visitors were well drilled and took an early and comfortable lead that proved too hard to
return from, ending 49 – 5 to the visitors with Durham’s one try from Sunderland Flame, Kirsty Paterson.

Among the 23 man squad, ten Flames took to the field to demonstrate their skill and ability ahead of selection.

David Addison, Head Coach for Durham County Women commented on the game saying; “It was not our best performance, but, it was the opposition’s full strength squad against a mix of experienced and developing players for Durham.

“It was an opportunity for us coaches to see players in game situations and look at areas of the game which require improvement for us.

“We have named a 31 man squad with two places still up for grabs, the fight remains for players to work themselves into the match day 22.”

The Sunderland players included in the squad are; Amber Stonehouse, Becca Walker, Beth Geehan, Clarissa Murphy, Julie Noble, Kirsty Paterson, Nicole Irving, Olivia Davison, Rachael Knight, Steph Maddison (C), Tara Breslin, Tara Slater and Treen Hardy.

The Gill Burns Championship became recognised by the Rugby Football Union in the 2015/2016 season, seeing six Women players gain the first Durham County Caps after five Championship appearances, including Flames Maddison and Breslin.

This year, there are eight Sunderland players that have the opportunity to be awarded their County cap if they are successfully selected throughout the campaign. Those players are; Stonehouse, Walker, Geehan, Murphy, Noble, Paterson, Irving and Slater.

Durham will host Lancashire at Hartlepool RFC on Sunday April, 29, 2.30pm KO for their first Championship game.

By Clarissa Murphy