The senior ladies made significant progress this season fielding 2 sides in the league structure with both sides having powerful seasons and finishing 3rd in their respective tables.

To further the club's ambition to develop our Ladies section Director of Rugby Rob Matthews is pleased to announce a key appointment as the highly experienced and skilled coach Matt Davis has accepted the role of Head Coach of Ladies rugby at the Lane.

Matt has held the role of director of Rugby at USP as well as Head Coach of Portsmouth University Ladies rugby, and most recently was coaching in Portsmouth Senior Men 1st team squad.

Speaking Rob commented, " Matt is a highly respected coach in Hampshire rugby so we are delighted he has opted to take this opportunity".

Matt commented, " I am delighted to accept this appointment and hope that my experience will assist in driving the Ladies section forward in what is an exciting time in their development".

The announcement was tinged with a little sadness as long-serving head of Ladies rugby Dean Dryhurst is taking a sabbatical from rugby and Matthews was full of praise for his role over the past decade stating " Dean has shown immense dedication and passion to get the Ladies section where it is now and in being a hub for Girls rugby and his contribution has been immeasurable to the Club, and we hope after a rest he will be back in some capacity in the future".

However, Dean's legacy is that we are able to attract a coach of Matt's ability to the HC role!.

Exciting times ahead for the Lane Ladies!