After the summer break, the ladies 2025 campaign had two more tournaments for the full MLTL league competitions, the 'Super Sundays', and one more set of league fixtures to determine the North East Midlands title. Whilst September also brought a charity tournament in Cheltenham for our mixed touch side.
The Super Sunday campaign continued on 14th September at Harbury. A fantastic 22 players were available so Flames and Fury were able to compete. Flames claimed '4 from 4' with victories over Harbury, Old Northamptonians, Rugby SA and Old Laurentians. Fury came up against 3 of the same opposition, losing those 3, but taking a well-earned win against Newbold away with them. Player of the tournament for Stratford Flames was Jodie Simpson, who only joined us this season and has become a crucial addition to the squads in that time. Player of the tournament for Stratford Fury was Libby Hazleton, one of our youngsters at 13, also a regional Wildcat, she has stepped up to ladies level brilliantly.
On 27th September our mixed touch side ran out in a charity event at Cheltenham. 5 of our ladies and 2 of our coaches, with 2 other mixed touch players took on 6 teams - knowing nothing about them in advance. They came away with 2 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses. The final draw against Birmingham was in the knock out stages of the competition so a 'drop off' was needed to determine a result with Stratford losing that by only a couple of tries. Player of the tournament was ladies coach Nye Davis for scoring 6 tries across the day.
The last league fixtures for the ladies then took place at Bedworth on 5th October. With 13 available players it was not quite enough to send both teams and so that spelled the end of the league campaign for Stratford Fury. Flames won all 4 fixtures against Bedworth, Newbold, Rugby SA and Old Northamptonians - secured the North East league title for a record 3 years in a row. The last team to win 2 in a row.....Stratford in 2015 and then again in 2016!!!!! Player of the tournament was Charlotte Redshaw. She hadn't been at training the week before and with a squad of 13 we had worked hard on the rolling subs - she picked it up brilliantly and just fitted right in on the day. Plus she scored a cracking try on the line....
The last fixtures then for 2025 were Super Sunday ones at Redditch on 19th October. 14 players were available during the week, again just not quite enough to put out a Fury side as well. 11 ended up being fit to play on the day, with only 4 of those being consistent Flames players. 5 of the team were between 12-17 - with a few oldies thrown in to make up the numbers and 3 of the team were in their first season with the ladies. Edith Ledbury led the team brilliantly in her first run out as captain. The set plays were inches away from scoring more tries and the team ethos was great! Whilst defence dwindled as the day went on, and they lost all 4 matches, there is so much to be positive about regarding the future of our ladies squad. Player of the tournament was Niamh Moore-Ng who trains regularly but is not always able to play due to other commitments - she was a role model on and off the pitch with her work rate and her encouragement of others.
The league standings for the end of 2025 are as follows:
Stratford Flames
WINNERS - North East Midlands League
5th place - overall Midlands League (league and Super Sunday points combined)
Stratford Fury
7th place - North East Midlands League (out of 10)
16th Place - overall Midlands League (out of 20)
In 2026, the touch section is going to officially incorporate our mixed touch team, starting with their winter series coming up. The ladies and mixed sides are looking to gain sponsorship and enter the respective open National Touch Series England Touch competitions and continue to compete in the Midlands competitions. We are encouraging all players from 8 to 50+ to try out for their respective teams at a regional level, West Wildcats.
