This has been a long campaign for the Eastern Counties team and a number of the Foxes have been selected throughout the games (Heather Barrie, Sian Bevan, Rose Bradshaw, Millie Burridge, Jasmin Clark, Steph Durrant, Robyn Gordon, Chantelle Higgins, Amanda Jones, Danni Lee, Chloe Rumsey, Immy Smith & Emma West), with Chantelle Higgins being named Captain of the side.

The EC team won their pool games 5-29 (against East Midlands), 43-24 (against Hertfordshire) and 7-24 (against Warwickshire) respectively to set up a semi-final at home against Durham. This was a side many of the women had faced previously in friendlies, but never in a capped game.

The fixture was a nail-biting affair, with Eastern Counties surrendering a 19-0 lead at half time to end the game 19-19. This led to the game going to a penalty shootout – with two of the Foxes (Robyn Gordon and Danni Lee) stepping up to take the kicks. With joyous celebrations, Eastern Counties made it through with a sudden death kick to face Hampshire in the final.

After the game three Foxes were awarded with their caps for reaching over 12 championship games for Eastern Counties (Robyn Gordon, Jasmin Clark and Steph Durrant.)

Last Saturday, Eastern Counties faced Hampshire in the final. They had faced the opposition in last year’s final and beat them 26-19 at Twickenham. Undoubtedly, Hampshire were looking to avenge that loss and they did so in stunning fashion.. They quickly opened the scoring with 19 unanswered points before Danni Lee took a penalty kick to open the account for Eastern Counties at 19-3 and followed this with an unconverted try (19-8). These were the last points that Eastern Counties managed to score and a dominant, impressive and motivated Hampshire ran our winners at 53-8.

This was the 12th championship game for Chantelle Higgins who was awarded her cap for reaching this milestone.

We are incredibly proud of our Foxes for this remarkable achievement. For many, this is the 3rd final in 4 campaigns and although Eastern Counties fell short this time, there is no denying that the Eastern region is a force to be reckoned with in women’s rugby. For Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club to have such a large representation within this team is testament to the Foxes squad and is something we are very proud of.

A special mention to Danni Lee and Heather Barrie who both picked up an injury on Sunday. Speedy recover, Danni & Heather!

Congratulations to our Foxes and to Eastern Counties RFU for another stellar Gill Burns County Championship campaign and here’s to next season!