Morton Makes Premiership Debut
With most of Royal Navy Rugby’s attention naturally focussed on events in New Zealand, Lauren Morton made a small piece of Royal Navy Rugby history at Allianz Park on Saturday when she became the first Royal Navy Women’s player to play in the RFUW Premiership.
Already established as one of the Navy’s and Combined Services leading players Loz, who is comfortable at either scrum half or centre, was named on the bench for Saracens Ladies in their third round league match against Darlington Mowden Park. The match was played as part of a double header with the Saracens v Sale Sharks Aviva Premiership match following on afterwards.
The game was Saracens Ladies first home match as they looked to extend their unbeaten start to the 2014/15 season. The faster conditions of the Allianz artificial pitch seemed to suit their game as they gradually pulled away from the Darlington team. By the time Loz Morton made her debut, for the last quarter of the game, the result was secured but Loz made a solid contribution on her debut as part of an impressive 38-5 win. With wins against Bristol Ladies and Wasps Ladies in rounds one and two it keeps Saracens Ladies unbeaten at the top of the league.
For Navy Rugby, Loz’s achievement is another welcome boost for the Women’s game as they continue their steady growth on and off the field. Not only will the exposure to regular first class rugby stretch and improve Loz as a player but it should also prove a catalyst for others to see what can be achieved as a Service rugby players. Hopefully Loz will also be able to bring back some ideas for the squad and their 2015 Inter Service campaign.
Images by Alligin Photography / © Geraint Ashton Jones
