WITH women's rugby becoming the fastest growing sport in the UK, a small but dedicated team of Abergavenny girls are hoping to take the rough-and-ready national sport by storm.

RHIAN PRICE paid a 'passing' visit to Bailey Park last Thursday to watch the girls from Abergavenny RFC in action and get the lowdown from the players and coaching staff on why more and more females are being attracted to the hurly burly of the oval-shaped ball.

IT'S no secret that Abergavenny RFC's thriving junior boys rugby squad have already earned their spurs, with many players representing the Gwent district and the prestigious Newport Gwent Dragons Academy.

Now, with a collective team of 28 members, representing the under 15 and under 18 categories, Abergavenny girls are hoping to rival the success of their male counterparts.

The girls have already made their debut in style and last season gave the well-established Newport Girls team a run for their money at the Usk tournament - only narrowly missing out on clinching the game by five points.

14-year-old forward Sophie Dando, who received player of the tournament at Usk said she's really enjoying playing and feels she has improved in "leaps and bounds."

Abergavenny's young ladies are proving that 'girly girls' can still play the traditionally male-dominated game and many of them can often be seen doning lipstick and heels off the pitch.

Seventeen year-old player Kirsty Manolesoue told the Chronicle, "Just because we are girls, it doesn't mean we are not as good as the boys, we are just as strong as they are."

Coach Jo Kenwright, who is a keen rugby player herself said, "I've been very impressed with the girls. Its not particularly easy for females to play rugby at any age, particularly when they are teenagers. Its good to see them growing in confidence and enjoying it."

Fellow coach Colin Fletcher also explained how impressed he was with the girls "positive attitude and dedication," adding that the girls had even asked the two coaches for training sessions throughout June, despite the season coming to a close.

The girls, who are currently the only girls team training over the summer, have entered a team into its a Knockout, as a "team-building exercise."

The girls are collecting sponsorship for the event, due to take in Bailey Park on Saturday July 11 to raise money for a much-needed team kit.

Parents are also in the process of organising a six-hour exercise bike marathon, to be completed by the team, to raise money for the girls.

The girls will this year, be playing in the Welsh girls league 09/10, with their first match starting in September.

Jo said that in the future she hopes to see a "really good, under 15 and under 18 side, with girls coming through from the mini's and schools, to develop a squad, not just a team."

She added, "Perhaps one day we can rival the boys rugby team."