THORNBURY Ladies RFC are waiting eagerly to find out whether they will be playing league rugby next season.

However, they have already made one small piece of club history this season by becoming the first team to tackle Hardwicke and Quedgeley Harlequins in a match.

And, in the future, they hope that one of their number can emulate the rise to international status of Rhiannon Parker, who will be attending the club dinner this season and hopefully pass on a few tips.

Thornbury Ladies have applied to play in the South West North League Two.

Fly half Gemma Tyrrell, who handed over the captaincy of the team to number eight Sadie Giles, said: “It’s an achievement for us.

“We were formed in March last year and it was just a group of mums from the club who had a desire to play rugby.

“We got together and got a coaching team together and trained throughout the summer.

“We had a practice match in July and then we have just been getting some fixtures this year to prove we are a worthwhile team (for the league).”

So far, the ladies side have played nine matches and won five of them.

And they have been recruiting more players over the season, including a recent ‘Inner Warrior’ event.

At the event, six new ladies tried rugby and three of them have signed for the club.

Last Sunday, Thornbury Ladies beat Dursley Ladies 29-7 and, prior to that, they secured a 30-5 win over Hardwicke and Quedgeley Harlequins.

Now Thornbury Ladies are being recognised with four girls picked for Gloucestershire representative trials.

And, from a club which produced England men’s internationals Billy and Mako Vunipola, the ladies hope someone will emerge into their national set-up.

“Rhiannon Parker will come along to our club dinner to pass on some tips to the girls,” said Tyrrell.

The fly half does not know when the league status will be announced but, given their growth, there is every chance it will be a successful application.