Letchworth came to the rescue of girls and women s rugby in the region twice in the space of a few days. With continual rain turning rugby grounds across the area into swamps, Letchworth remained one of the few grounds to remain in a reasonably playable

Letchworth came to the rescue of girls' and women's rugby in the region twice in the space of a few days.

With continual rain turning rugby grounds across the area into swamps, Letchworth remained one of the few grounds to remain in a reasonably playable condition.

The first rescue came last Wednesday when Letchworth stepped in to host the South East qualifying tournament for the RFUW Under-17 National Cup.

This had been due to take place that Sunday at Saracens, and when the continual downpours also put Welwyn out of action, Letchworth stepped to host the rearranged event.

It will now take place this Sunday (December 10) at Baldock Road.

The tournament will include teams from across the South East of England from the likes of Worthing in Sussex and Camberley in Surrey, to more local sides such as Saracens, Welwyn and Letchworth.

Two teams will qualify for the Southern finals in what promises to be an afternoon of top quality girls' rugby.

Letchworth's officials had barely put the phone down after setting this up when news came through that the weekend's trial for the East Region's women's team was also homeless thanks to flooded grounds.

So again the club has stepped in - at barely 48 hours' notice this time - to host the event.

All this follows on from Letchworth taking on the running of the Herts Girls' Sevens earlier in the year when the original hosts of that were forced to pull out.

John Birch, manager of the girls' section at the club, said: "We are always delighted to be able to help.

"It puts us on the map and demonstrates our commitment to supporting girls' and women's rugby.