1996 Great Britain Women's Rugby League Tour of Australia
May 25, 2024
The Great Britain Women’s Rugby League tour of Australia in 1996 was the first such tour by a female British or English Rugby League team. Seven matches were played during the three-week tour, including three Test Matches. These were the first Rugby League internationals played by Great Britain or England women. For the host nation, Australia, this tour followed on from a visit by the New Zealand women’s rugby league team during the previous year, 1995.
1996 Great Britain Women's Rugby League Tour of Australia
The tour was successful for the team, with Great Britain winning six of the seven matches. The First Test Match was narrowly won by Australia, but Great Britain rallied to win the Second and Third Test Matches by small margins to claim a series victory.[1][2]
The team was coached by Ian Harris with Jackie Sheldon as assistant coach. Nikki Carter was tour manager.[3] Paula Clark served as the team’s physiotherapist. The team was captained by Lisa McIntosh with vice-captain Brenda Dobek.[4]
Squadedit
A photo of the 1996 touring team is included with the Dobek interview on the Women in Rugby League website.
Phillip Oval, Canberra Referee: Great Britain's Player of the Match: Brenda Dobek
Despite comprehensive victories to Great Britain in both tour games leading into the First Test Match, their inaugural meeting with Australia was tightly contested. Great Britain scored the first try in the opening ten minutes, Sally Milburn touching down after a great pass from Allison Kitchin. The try was converted by Karen Burrows. The first half continued with the Great Britain dominating the attack, however, Alison Smith scored an unconverted try for Australia just prior to the break.
The Australians were finding it tough to break the defensive line and lacked the support play of the British and the distribution from the ruck was not as effective.
— Karen Hardy, Canberra Times (22 July 1996)
Australia’s attack was more effective in the second stanza. Fiona Huntington scored a try near the sideline within a few minutes of the resumption. Katrina Fanning then scored from a short run to the try-line, “hitting and spinning on the line to get the ball down.” With this try converted by Alison Smith, Australia lead 14–6. Allison Kitchen made a break for Great Britain, running down the left edge. Australian second-rower Danielle Meskell made an impressive covering tackle, however, the Lionesses spread the ball to the right wing for Jill Adams to score. The “deceptively quick” British five-eighth, Brenda Dobek, instigated the next try, popping a pass to captain Lisa McIntosh, who found in support Chantelle Patrick, who scored in the corner. This unconverted try levelled the scores at 14–all with about five minutes to play. In injury time, Australia was awarded a penalty for a swinging arm in the tackle. From about 25 metres out and to the right of the posts, Alison Smith kicked a penalty goal to win the match for Australia. The Canberra Times recognised Alison Smith and Danielle Meskell as the best players for Australia, and for Great Britain, hooker Michelle Land and the halves-pairing of Mandy Green and Brenda Dobek.[5] Great Britain's team award for their best player in the match went to Brenda Dobek.
Tries: 5 Chantelle Patrick 2 Lucia Stott Lisa McIntosh Nicki Harrison Goals: 0
Redfern Oval, Sydney Referee: Player of the Match: Brenda Dobek Player of the Series: Brenda Dobek
The third and deciding Test was again a tussle between evenly matched teams. Great Britain had established a 12–4 lead at halftime, but Australia scored an early second half try.
The Great Britain girls showed more flair in attack than their Australian rivals – who tended to play a more structured game with the football. Highlighting the visitor’s fast, open style of play, Great Britain’s five tries were all scored out wide.
— Cameron Bell, Daily Telegraph, Sydney (4 August 1996)
The score was 20–18 in Great Britain’s favour towards the end of the match. The last three minutes saw Great Britain under pressure, defending their line against Australia’s attack. The defence held, to secure Great Britain a series victory.
I don’t think we could ask for a better Test series – each game went right down to the wire and we were beaten by a very good team.
— Australian captain, Julie McGuffie, Daily Telegraph, Sydney (4 August 1996)
Great Britain’s player of the match, Brenda Dobek, was also named player of the series. Sydney’s Daily Telegraph cited Danielle Meskell as Australia’s standout player.[6]
Sourcesedit
Statistics for the Great Britain team drawn from a document supplied by the team’s coach.[7] Point scorers for the First and Third Test verified by the contemporary match reports in the Canberra Times[5] and Daily Telegraph.[6] Coverage of women’s rugby league in Australian newspapers in 1996 was limited, and the tour coincided with the 1996 Olympic Games. The Rugby League Week, a magazine dedicated to the sport in Australia included an advanced mention of the Third Test’s location (Redfern Oval) and published only the result of the First Test. Access to 1996 editions of Australian newspapers and the Rugby League Week is offline, through microfilm and actual copies held in the State Library of New South Wales.
^ abcBell, Cameron (4 Aug 1996). "Aussie Girls Tackle Great Britain in Test of Courage". Daily Telegraph. p. 61.
^Harris, Ian (2008). Great Britain Women’s Rugby League 1995-1996 Tour of Australia A Coaches Report - Coaching International Female Rugby League. Lilley Press Beverley. pp. 290–292.
External linksedit
Women in Rugby League
NRL Women
May 25, 2024
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The Great Britain Women s Rugby League tour of Australia in 1996 was the first such tour by a female British or English Rugby League team Seven matches were played during the three week tour including three Test Matches These were the first Rugby League internationals played by Great Britain or England women For the host nation Australia this tour followed on from a visit by the New Zealand women s rugby league team during the previous year 1995 1996 Great Britain Women s Rugby League Tour of AustraliaManagerNikki CarterCoach es Ian HarrisTour captain s Lisa McIntoshTop point scorer s Chantelle Patrick 36Top try scorer s Chantelle Patrick 9Top test point scorer s Chantelle Patrick 16Top test try scorer s Chantelle Patrick 4SummaryPWDLTotal0 70 60 00 1Test match0 30 20 00 1OpponentPWDL Australia3201Tour chronologyNext tour1998 The tour was successful for the team with Great Britain winning six of the seven matches The First Test Match was narrowly won by Australia but Great Britain rallied to win the Second and Third Test Matches by small margins to claim a series victory 1 2 Contents 1 Team Leadership 2 Squad 3 Results 3 1 1st Test 3 2 2nd Test 3 3 3rd Test 4 Sources 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksTeam Leadership editThe team was coached by Ian Harris with Jackie Sheldon as assistant coach Nikki Carter was tour manager 3 Paula Clark served as the team s physiotherapist The team was captained by Lisa McIntosh with vice captain Brenda Dobek 4 Squad editA photo of the 1996 touring team is included with the Dobek interview on the Women in Rugby League website Squad number Player Club Tries Goals Points 13 Lisa McIntosh c Dudley Hill 4 1 18 6 Brenda Dobek vc Wakefield Panthers 3 2 16 16 Jill Adams Redhill 2 0 8 17 Jane Banks Wigan St Patricks 0 0 0 10 Sharon Birkenhead Redhill 0 0 0 4 Karen Burrows Redhill 3 6 24 5 Wendy Charnley Rochdale 0 0 0 20 Julie Cronin York 1 0 4 22 Lucy Ferguson Wakefield Panthers 0 0 0 7 Mandy Green Dudley Hill 1 0 4 18 Nicki Harrison Dudley Hill 1 0 4 21 Joanne Hewson Askam 2 0 8 15 Lisa Hunter Hull Vixens 0 0 0 23 Allison Kitchin Barrow 2 0 8 3 Liz Kitchin Barrow 3 0 12 9 Michelle Land Wakefield Panthers 2 0 8 25 Sally Milburn Askam 5 0 20 8 Donna Parker Hull Vixens 2 0 8 2 Chantelle Patrick Dudley Hill 9 0 36 24 Samantha Pearson Dudley Hill 0 0 0 26 Joanne Roberts Wakefield Panthers 1 0 4 11 Lucia Scott Rochdale 0 0 0 14 Vicky Studd Dudley Hill 1 0 4 19 Paula Tunnicliffe Rochdale 0 0 0 12 Sandra Wade Barrow 0 0 0 1 Joanna Will Wakefield Panthers 1 0 4Results editJuly 16 Sydney Select XIII 0 86 Great Britain Tries nil Goals nil Tries 17 Lisa McIntosh 3 Chantelle Patrick 3 Brenda Dobek 2 Allison Kitchin 2 Liz Kitchin 2 Lucia Stott 2 Michelle Land 2 Mandy Green Goals 9Lucia Stott 7 Brenda Dobek 2 nbsp Redfern Oval SydneyReferee Player of the Match Lisa McIntosh July 18 Australian Capital Territory 0 36 Great Britain Tries nil Goals nil Tries 7 Joanne Hewson 2 Sally Milburn 2 Donna Parker Jill Adams Julie Cronin Goals 4Karen Burrows 4 nbsp Steinfield Oval CanberraReferee Player of the Match Vicky Studd 1st Test edit July 211 50pm Australia nbsp 16 14 nbsp Great Britain Tries 3 Allison Smith Fiona Huntington Katrina Fanning Goals 2 Allison Smith 2 Report 5 Replay Tries 3 Sally Milburn Jill Adams Chantelle Patrick Goals 1Karen Burrows nbsp Phillip Oval CanberraReferee Great Britain s Player of the Match Brenda Dobek Despite comprehensive victories to Great Britain in both tour games leading into the First Test Match their inaugural meeting with Australia was tightly contested Great Britain scored the first try in the opening ten minutes Sally Milburn touching down after a great pass from Allison Kitchin The try was converted by Karen Burrows The first half continued with the Great Britain dominating the attack however Alison Smith scored an unconverted try for Australia just prior to the break The Australians were finding it tough to break the defensive line and lacked the support play of the British and the distribution from the ruck was not as effective Karen Hardy Canberra Times 22 July 1996 Australia s attack was more effective in the second stanza Fiona Huntington scored a try near the sideline within a few minutes of the resumption Katrina Fanning then scored from a short run to the try line hitting and spinning on the line to get the ball down With this try converted by Alison Smith Australia lead 14 6 Allison Kitchen made a break for Great Britain running down the left edge Australian second rower Danielle Meskell made an impressive covering tackle however the Lionesses spread the ball to the right wing for Jill Adams to score The deceptively quick British five eighth Brenda Dobek instigated the next try popping a pass to captain Lisa McIntosh who found in support Chantelle Patrick who scored in the corner This unconverted try levelled the scores at 14 all with about five minutes to play In injury time Australia was awarded a penalty for a swinging arm in the tackle From about 25 metres out and to the right of the posts Alison Smith kicked a penalty goal to win the match for Australia The Canberra Times recognised Alison Smith and Danielle Meskell as the best players for Australia and for Great Britain hooker Michelle Land and the halves pairing of Mandy Green and Brenda Dobek 5 Great Britain s team award for their best player in the match went to Brenda Dobek July 24 Queensland XIII 8 22 Great Britain Tries Goals Tries 5 Chantelle Patrick Karen Burrows Lucia Stott Vicky Studd Sally Milburn Goals 1Karen Burrows nbsp Gilbert Park BrisbaneReferee Player of the Match Lucia Stott 2nd Test edit July 28 Australia nbsp 12 18 nbsp Great Britain Tries Goals Tries 4 Chantelle Patrick Karen Burrows Sally Milburn Joanne Roberts Goals 1Lisa McIntosh nbsp Gilbert Park BrisbaneReferee Julia Lee Player of the Match Joanne Hewson July 31 Presidents XIII 0 30 Great Britain Tries nil Goals nil Tries 7 Chantelle Patrick Liz Kitchin Karen Burrows Brenda Dobek Donna Parker Joanna Will Lucia Stott Goals 1Lucia Stott nbsp Cunningham Oval SydneyReferee Player of the Match Jane Banks 3rd Test edit August 3 Australia nbsp 18 20 nbsp Great Britain Tries 4 Alyssa Campbell 2 Katrina Moss Loretta O Neill Goals 1 Allison Smith Report 6 Highlights Tries 5 Chantelle Patrick 2 Lucia Stott Lisa McIntosh Nicki Harrison Goals 0 nbsp Redfern Oval SydneyReferee Player of the Match Brenda Dobek Player of the Series Brenda Dobek The third and deciding Test was again a tussle between evenly matched teams Great Britain had established a 12 4 lead at halftime but Australia scored an early second half try The Great Britain girls showed more flair in attack than their Australian rivals who tended to play a more structured game with the football Highlighting the visitor s fast open style of play Great Britain s five tries were all scored out wide Cameron Bell Daily Telegraph Sydney 4 August 1996 The score was 20 18 in Great Britain s favour towards the end of the match The last three minutes saw Great Britain under pressure defending their line against Australia s attack The defence held to secure Great Britain a series victory I don t think we could ask for a better Test series each game went right down to the wire and we were beaten by a very good team Australian captain Julie McGuffie Daily Telegraph Sydney 4 August 1996 Great Britain s player of the match Brenda Dobek was also named player of the series Sydney s Daily Telegraph cited Danielle Meskell as Australia s standout player 6 Sources editStatistics for the Great Britain team drawn from a document supplied by the team s coach 7 Point scorers for the First and Third Test verified by the contemporary match reports in the Canberra Times 5 and Daily Telegraph 6 Coverage of women s rugby league in Australian newspapers in 1996 was limited and the tour coincided with the 1996 Olympic Games The Rugby League Week a magazine dedicated to the sport in Australia included an advanced mention of the Third Test s location Redfern Oval and published only the result of the First Test Access to 1996 editions of Australian newspapers and the Rugby League Week is offline through microfilm and actual copies held in the State Library of New South Wales See also editWomen s rugby league Australia women s national rugby league team Great Britain women s national rugby league team England women s national rugby league teamReferences edit Barnes Simon 14 Sep 1996 Mauled Lionesses get the better of rough girls game Times London p 47 Hadfield Dave 12 Jul 2000 Rugby League World Series Reflects Rise Of Women s Game The Independent London p 25 Nikki Carter Women in Rugby League 24 May 2020 Retrieved 21 Apr 2021 Brenda Dobek Women in Rugby League 12 Jan 2020 Retrieved 21 Apr 2021 a b c Hardy Karen 22 Jul 1996 Brits pay ultimate penalty Canberra Times p 25 a b c Bell Cameron 4 Aug 1996 Aussie Girls Tackle Great Britain in Test of Courage Daily Telegraph p 61 Harris Ian 2008 Great Britain Women s Rugby League 1995 1996 Tour of Australia A Coaches Report Coaching International Female Rugby League Lilley Press Beverley pp 290 292 External links editWomen in Rugby League NRL Women Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 1996 Great Britain Women 27s Rugby League Tour of Australia amp oldid 1181859108, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
