The women’s section at Stamford Rugby Club is thriving

Club history will be created at Stamford Rugby on Sunday.

The Hambleton Road club will be fielding two full women's teams for the first time ever in a brace of competitive clashes.

The first team will be looking to continue their current winning league form when they take on Ipswich Women in the next round of the NC East One competition.

Stamford Storm are also in action as they welcome Northampton BBOB Women in a friendly match on what will be a landmark day for the club and highlights just how much progress the women's section has made since its formation three seasons ago.

Darren Dolby - who heads up the women's and girls section at the club - commented: "With more than 70 women players (and one female referee) taking to the pitches, it's going to be a great time to come along and watch two fantastic grassroots matches and to see the continued progress of women's rugby in South Lincolnshire.

"As always, we would very much welcome all supporters to the club for both these matches and hope that we see many more Stamford and district residents come along to the ground to see just how women's grassroots rugby is thriving in South Lincolnshire and to see history being made.”

Stamford will be at full strength for the league game as they also look to reverse the loss they suffered in Suffolk in September while the Storm side face opposition who, like themselves, have only been going this season so for both teams it will be a great chance to see just how far each has progressed.

There is also a double-header of men's action at Hambleton Road on Saturday as Stamford host two teams from Stewart and Lloyds Corby.

It is a return to Counties 1 Midlands East (South) action for the first team following their festive break.

Stamford are currently 12 points clear at the top of the table and go into Saturday's match with an unbeaten home record.

The purple, black and whites ended the proud home feat of their Corby opponents in their first meeting of the season as they ran out 18-3 winners to halt Stewart and Lloyds' 26-game unbeaten streak at Occupation Road.

Director of rugby Matt Albinson and player-coach George Cox are refreshed and eager to take on the challenges that lie ahead in 2025 - no more so than the increasingly difficult selection decisions as players return from long-term injuries.

Mike Kendall, Pete Hurrell, Michael Harris, Austin Baker, Rob Hesford and Tristan Small will all be in contention again in the new year.

Small will return on Saturday but George Offer will be out following surgery on a detached bicep until late March.

Albinson said: "We've got an unbeaten home record to protect and will be eager to get out of the 2025 starting blocks early.

"We will aim to dictate the game against a side that will want revenge and have a hard hitting back row and talent in the half backs."

The second team will also tackle their Corby counterparts with both matches getting underway at 2.15pm.

Bourne entertain Bugbrooke on their return to league action with Spalding hosting Biggleswade in the same division.

Oakham travel to Rugby St Andrews while Stamford College Old Boys make the trip to Sileby Town.