Chasing after a ball in wet muddy conditions may not be every woman’s idea of a Sunday afternoon treat.

But for the members of the Ilkley Women’s Rugby Club, it is the ideal escape from the pressures of everyday life.

Wives, mothers, nurses, teachers, and women of all shapes and sizes from all walks of life have signed up to scrum down on the field.

And even though the team is only in its second season, they are already showing their opponents how it’s done.

They came third in the Midlands League last year, winning all but one of their games, and are gearing up to prove their mettle this season as they take on rivals in the North West England League.

Team coach Tom Gillon said: “The ladies team has been a fantastic success. They only started up just over a year ago and had a fantastic season.

“Basically, they have a lot of fun and play some rugby. They have all proved really dedicated and now we are looking forward to doing equally well in the new league.”

Women’s rugby is one of the fastest growing sports around. It is no longer just for the boys or men: more and more women’s clubs are springing up all over the country.

It is so popular that there are over 15,000 women and girls who play regularly in England, which ranked number two in the world last year.

And such is its popularity, that next year England will host the Women’s Rugby World Cup.

Tom, who has been a member at Ilkley for 29 years and also runs the youth section, said: “We first got started after a conversation with a girl I work beside who said she was interested in starting a team.

“She had quite a few contacts and soon enough there were more and more women coming forward.

“We started training and they absolutely loved it. It’s not the dangerous game people think it is and we have a lot of fun. It’s more about having fun than winning but the players seem keen to do both!”

The girls train and play on Sunday afternoons at Ilkley Rugby Club. “At the moment, we have about 22 women in the squad but are always looking for more,” said Tom.

“Most of the women who come to us are involved in some kind of sport already but we have many who are complete beginners to rugby.

“They pick it up very quickly and soon begin to enjoy it. We have all sorts in the team, mums, nurses, teachers, policewomen, students. They just need to be interested and take it from there.

“So many feel really daunted by it at the start but they soon forget their nerves and get stuck in and it’s brilliant to see them all doing so well.

“We always try to go for a pint afterwards and have a bit of a laugh.”

The Ilkley team is made up of women from all over the area, some travelling from as far afield as Huddersfield to play.

Tom said: “It is really good for Ilkley to have a women’s team. Very few places do and there are cities that don’t even have a team so we are really proud.

“Anyone can come and join in – most of our members are aged between about 17 and 35 but there is no real upper age limit.

“Basically we do ball handling skills and basic fitness training – most of our members have a basic level of fitness when they come along.”

The team has its first game of the season this Sunday when they play Leigh Ladies Rugby Team in Lancaster.

Tom said: “We are really looking forward to it. It’s great fun going to games. Women’s rugby is physical – there’s no doubt about it but it’s always played in good spirit and the girls absolutely love it.

“It’s no different to men’s rugby and as a coach I just have to try to bring the best out of my players.

“It’s a fantastic way for people to unwind and opens up a whole new social life for many of the players.”

Captain of the Ilkley team is Kate Delaney, 25, a PE teacher who lives in Menston. She plays as hooker and said: “I love playing it. I played rugby at university and was really pleased when the team started up in Ilkley.

“I was quite surprised at how quickly we got a team together and I think we had a fantastic first season. Obviously players come and go. Some have gone off to university, others have left to have children.

“We have one player who came to join us 15 weeks after she had her first baby. Now she’s off to have her second, so we are always on the look out for new members.

“I think women need a certain amount of confidence to play rugby but many of our players had never touched a rugby ball before. It’s just a matter of coming along and finding out what it’s all about. Basically we get people together and have fun and the rugby comes after that. By doing it that way we have built up a successful team.”

But despite the macho, rough and tumble image of the game, Kate says the team has suffered few injuries.

She said: “Last season there was one injury and that was me. You don’t get hurt as much as you might think as long as you are confident.

“New players are often a bit scared to come down but they soon realise that everyone felt like that and within half-an-hour they will have forgotten about it and will be enjoying taking part. It’s a great way to keep up your fitness and de-stress.”

At the moment the squad only meet on Sundays for practice and games but they may extend that to Wednesday evenings in the future.

lFor more information about the team, telephone Tom Gillon on 07947 604165.