Defeat at the death can’t dampen fantastic occasion

WINSCOMBE Ladies head coach Gavin Hancock was overcome with pride despite his side's defeat to Buckingham Swans in the Papa Johns Women’s Junior Cup final at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.

- REPORT BY MOHAMED HAMZA

Hancock’s charges fell to a late 33-27 reversal after Buckingham’s Carys Coletta dotted down at the death to ignite celebrations for her at the home of English rugby.

And while to concede the trophy with the last action of the game stung, Hancock lauded his side for all their efforts after coming so close.

"I said to our ladies before the game that I felt the least pressure I've ever had entering a game because to play at the Allianz Stadium at Twickenham is something we will have for the rest of our lives," revealed Hancock.

"So the result wasn’t important. We knew Buckingham Swans were going to be good and we always knew it was going to be hard so to push a team like that as close as we did makes me so proud.

"It just shows how cruel sports can be but as an occasion and a spectacle for ladies’ rugby, that was amazing."