An appeal has gone out for more female rugby players from the coach and senior players at Netherhall Rugby Union club.

Despite being the strongest team in West Cumbria in terms of numbers, the Maryport club still find they have to travel far for fixtures and often end up having to recruit members of other teams for games.

The Netherhall girls teams are made up of players from Workington, Flimby, Maryport, Allonby, Aspatria and Cockermouth.

They are all willing to travel because of their love of the game but the under-18s especially want a team they can call their own – to train, bond and win games with.

Yasmin Taylor, 16, of Workington, said: “We need more players to give us more chance to win – and to show the boys we can do it.”

Team captain Chloe Pape has been playing rugby since her days at Netherhall School and encouraged other girls to try it.

Some said they had started off with football but found rugby union much more satisfying.

“It is also much more friendly with a wider social group,” Chloe said.

Carl Hewitson, coach of the under-15s and under-18s teams said: “We have around 20 players across both teams but obviously need 30 or more.

“We have to travel some distance to fulfil our fixtures.

“We have joined with Kirkby Lonsdale which was helpful.

“The girls got on well, but it is always going to be better if you have your own team that can train and develop together.

“We have done well.

“In November last year we had five players.

“Now we have more than 20 but we still need more.”

Anyone wanting to give the game a try can turn up to training at Netherhall RUFC on Netherhall Road, Maryport, at 6.30pm on Wednesdays.