BAILDON Rugby Club's junior girls are certainly building on the firm foundations set by Sport England Satellite participant of the year bronze medallist Charlotte Gilligan.

From an initial attendance of one girl for Saturday morning training at Titus Salt School a year ago, 12 regulars now turn up, while 22 attend training on a Monday afternoon.

With this backing behind them, Baildon took four under-13 players and five under-15s to their first cluster festival at Old Brodleians, the girls combining with players from other clubs to get as many opportunities for competitive play as possible.

Charlotte and fellow under-15s Amy Illingworth, Rachel Sutcliffe and Babita Dhand paired up with Skipton RUFC girls, and only lost 17-10 to the hosts.

Next up for Baildon-Skipton were a very experienced West Park Leeds side, who had too much quality, with three of the dual-club girls playing for West Park to ensure that they all got a game.

Meanwhile, Baildon's under-13 girls attended their first development day at Old Brodlieans, with two players who have experience of school rugby being joined by an inexperienced younger girl and a newcomer.

This quartet were joined by two players from Skipton and two from Wetherby to make a team, and they played four matches against more experienced sides who play together on a weekly basis.

Despite not winning a game, the Baildon-Skipton-Wetherby combination played with a smile on their faces, and they grew in confidence and increased their understanding and skills against opponents who were bigger, stronger and more organised.

Nevertheless, the combined girl played for each other and never gave up, winning the Spirit of Rugby award.

Baildon RUFC's training sessions for their 11-16 year-old girls take place at Titus Salt School on Saturdays (10.30am-noon), and further information is available from the club's development officer Robbie Hill on 07944-385218 or robbie@baildon-rugby.co.uk.