UKAF Women 0–63 England Students

UKAF Women 0 – 63 England Students
Saturday 11 July 2026, Cobham RFC, Sussex

UKAF Women v England Students proved a tough afternoon for the services side. In the end, a slick England Students team scored 11 tries to win 63–0.

A week earlier, UKAF Women had beaten a North East Women’s XV 31–17 at Doncaster. However, they knew this would be a far bigger test. England Students had won last year’s fixture 74–22 at Aldershot.

The match was moved at short notice from Farnham, where the grass pitch was too hard after weeks of dry weather. Instead, it was played on an artificial surface in temperatures above 30°C. As a result, the referee called extra water breaks in both halves.

Head coach WO2 Sarah Mitchelson made several changes from Doncaster. She also handed out six new caps. Josie Parnaby and Philippa Griffiths started together at half-back. Meanwhile, Jenna Hughes, Lauren Evans, Lottie Ball and Flo Mullett all won caps from the bench. Captain Jade Mullen moved out to inside centre.

A fast start from the Students

England Students set a ferocious pace from the first whistle. After just three minutes, co-captain Eva Sterrett broke clear from a scrum to score. Soon after, their openside flanker forced her way over from close range.

UKAF had very little possession in the opening quarter. Instead, they spent long spells defending inside their own 22. The Students’ quick ball at the breakdown caused constant problems. Their lineout drive was also powerful, and hooker Alana Bainbridge finished one maul for a try.

Even so, UKAF never stopped working. Jess McAuley came close to an interception that would have led to a try at the other end. Later, the defence held up a strong Students maul just short of the line.

However, the Students’ finishing was clinical. Replacement prop Izzy Vander Stratton scored within a minute of coming on. Then Sterrett added two more tries, either side of a long UKAF spell in the Students’ half. As a result, the Students led 41–0 at half-time.

UKAF Women v England Students: a stronger second half

UKAF came out with far more edge after the break. Although the Students scored early again, the services side grew into the game. Their tackling was more aggressive, and their carrying was more direct.

Mullen moved to fly-half and began to pull the strings. Twice she took quick tap penalties to catch the Students napping. Moments later, Ella Johnson drove for the line but was held up over it.

Later, UKAF built their best attack of the afternoon. Rowann Sinclair tidied up a lineout, and the forwards carried hard into the 22. Courtney Pursglove, now at scrum-half, kept the tempo high. Meanwhile, Heidi Silcox drove within a metre of the line. Unfortunately, a knock-on ended the move just short.

Credit despite the scoreline

The Students added four second-half tries, including two more for Sterrett and Vander Stratton. Finally, replacement Lucy Sharp crashed over with the last play of the game.

Nevertheless, UKAF can take real positives from the afternoon. After conceding seven tries before the break, they gave away just four after it. Mullen and Johnson were outstanding in defence. Also, the six new caps gained valuable experience against a high-quality side.

UKAF Women now turn their attention to the Remembrance fixture in November.

Watch the full replay on YouTube