Warilla rugby girls pushing to CHS victory

WARILLA High School are on the verge of a rugby dynasty after their open girls team moved a step closer to the NSW CHS knockout final.

The Warilla open girls have won the past two Richard Shaw Shields and moved a game closer to the 2007 decider with a 22-10 win over Matraville Sports High recently.

Emma Henderson was the star in Warilla's win and the team is now preparing for the next stage of the knockout.

Two players in the 2007 side " fullback Caroline Hatcher and breakaway Shannon Powell " are holdovers from Warilla's 2005 state champions.

A further three players were members of the 2006 championship-winning team.

Nine players in the 2008 crop graduated from Warilla's 2007 under 15s side.

Coach Rachelle Carey, in her second year at the helm, said Warilla's success was due to its drawing area.

"There is a lot of support for women's rugby here and the girls just want to have a go," Carey said.

"We draw kids from Shell Cove, Barrack Heights, Flinders, Oak Flats and even Albion Park " they are all talented girls.

"They're very excited at doing so well, a lot of the girls are in year 10 so they have a couple of more years in the team."

The final of the Richard Shaw Shield will be played at TG Milner Field, Eastwood, on Sunday, September 9.