UKAF Women v North East Report – Military vs Cancer 2026

UKAF Women 31 – 17 North East Women’s XV
Saturday 4 July 2026, Castle Park, Doncaster

UKAF Women v North East was the middle match of the Military vs Cancer triple header at Castle Park. In the end, UKAF Women scored five tries to beat a North East Women’s XV 31–17. As a result, they claimed the first UKAF win of the day.

Earlier, the Under-23s had lost 33–21 to England Counties Under-20s. Later on, the Men finished the day with a 42–26 win over a North of England Select XV. All proceeds went to Military vs Cancer, which supports serving and former personnel facing cancer.

The North East side was coached by former England captain Tamara Taylor. It drew on Premiership and Championship players with links to the region.

Johnson and Mullen strike first

Both sides started at a high tempo in a gusty wind. In fact, the North East almost scored straight from the kick-off when their full-back broke clear. However, UKAF’s scrum soon took control.

After 14 minutes, UKAF won a scrum five metres out. Number 8 Ella Johnson picked up from the base and went down the blind side. Then, with only a winger to beat, she powered over in the corner. Courtney Pursglove converted from out wide.

Soon after, captain Jade Mullen added a second try. First, she flicked the ball out to Pursglove on the short side. Then she bounced back to her feet to finish off the next offload. The conversion drifted wide, so UKAF led 12–0.

UKAF Women v North East: holding the line

The North East then spent ten minutes camped on the UKAF line. Meanwhile, Johnson was sent to the sin bin as the pressure built. Even so, UKAF’s defence refused to break.

Pursglove chased back to make a try-saving tackle on the North East full-back. Later, a North East try was ruled out for a double movement. Ellie Brightwell also won a vital turnover on her own line. Hooker Sam West then made a last-ditch tackle to stop another attack. As a result, UKAF went in 12–0 up at half-time.

Second-half surge

UKAF struck early in the second half. Mullen put Orla Proctor through a gap, and the centre handed off the winger to score. However, the North East hit back with a fine try of their own. Their hooker bumped off a tackle, and winger April Ishida raced away down the touchline. The conversion from the touchline just missed, leaving the score at 17–5.

After that, Pursglove swung the game with a superb 50:22. From the lineout, Mullen chipped through for Pursglove to gather and score. She also converted her own try to make it 24–5.

Soon after, a loose ball at a North East scrum gave UKAF another chance. Replacement scrum-half Fern Scobie hacked it on, and UKAF won it back. Brightwell then picked up and ran in the fifth try. The conversion made it 31–5.

North East finish strong

Even so, the North East kept going. An interception and a quick tap penalty set up their replacement tighthead to score near the posts. The conversion made it 31–12.

Late on, UKAF replacement Cerys McNevin almost scored after a fine break. Instead, North East prop Meg Gardner powered over for their third try. The conversion was missed, leaving the final score at 31–17.

With 80 minutes up, the referee called the game after a late injury. Finally, Mullen lifted the trophy as captain.

Watch the full replay on YouTube

UKAF Women team

1 Freya Gracie, 2 Sam West, 3 Sophie Benavent, 4 Rowann Sinclair, 5 Amy Reynolds, 6 Bethany Wilcox, 7 Ellie Brightwell, 8 Ella Johnson, 9 Evie Longworth, 10 Jade Mullen (C), 11 Jaye Ash, 12 Megan Griffiths, 13 Orla Proctor, 14 Courtney Pursglove, 15 Hayley Scholes

Impact: 16 Sarah Batley, 17 Raivinaini Tuvou, 18 Emily Russell, 19 Sinead Skillin, 20 Ella Frow, 21 Fern Scobie, 22 Cerys McNevin, 23 Hannah McCabe