MEDOWIE Marauders women’s rugby team have merged with Southern Beaches for the 2023 Hunter Rugby Premier Women’s competition.

In a huge fillip for the Port Stephens based club, the Marauders have bolstered their stocks with an influx of female talent from the Lake Macquarie district.

Club President Renee Selby told News Of The Area, “With the addition of our Southern Beaches sisters we expect to field a very competitive outfit in this year’s Hunter Womens series.”

A first up 31-12 loss to the Nelson Bay Gropers hasn’t deterred the Medowie women, who are still developing combinations in the early phase of the competition under the coaching of Mitch Coppock.

“We know the team will improve as the season unfolds and believe they can give the finals a big crack,” predicted Renee.

The Marauders have gained the services of talented Southern Beaches centre Sharnie McCann, winger Maggie Murphy, five eighth Lilly Cruickshank, half back Mikayla Bull, number eight Holly Gavin, flankers Charmane Wells and Emma Bradford, second rower Lauren Kaminski and inspirational prop forward and skipper Brooke Masoe.

They’ll be joined by seasoned Medowie players in dashing fullback Jemma Astley, winger Rebecca Powell, centre Josie Johnson, prop Taylor O’Reilly, hooker Jaymie McSpadden and forward Selby.

The athletic Astley is one of three squad members that double up on weekends and play AFL with Port Stephens Power as a creative midfielder in the Hunter Central Coast Seniors Black Diamond Plate.

She is joined by the versatile Johnson, another top AFL midfielder, and Club President Selby, who shows great potential as a fearless forward.

Following a second round bye, the women will square off with Hamilton Hawks Rugby XV this Saturday afternoon at Passmore Oval in Wickham at 4.30pm.

Southern Beaches Rugby Club will host its Ladies Day event on Saturday May 6 at Ernie Calland Oval in Willow Road Gateshead from 1pm.

The Ladies Day gathering will be preceded by the Southern Beaches-Medowie womens team’s morning fourth round fixture against Merewether-Carlton at The Sandpit at 11am.

Tickets are $40 per person, which includes live music, food and wine and raffle prizes.

Enquiries on 0413 022 147.

By Chris KARAS