VALE of Lune's women rugby players shook off their under-dog tag to bring home yet more silverware from Coventry at the weekend.

They beat Richmond 22-10 to win the National Shield final to add to the double of league championship and play-off final wins already sealed.

Richmond had just finished their season as runners-up in Premiership Two - the division into which the Vale have just been promoted.

Vale looked confident from the kick off and took the game to Richmond, pinning them in their own 22 in the opening exchanges. But it was Richmond who took the lead with a try out wide after they put a number of phases together to stretch the Vale defence.The locals were quickly back in the game, however, after using the tried and tested tactic of big forwards running close to the ruck and forcing Richmond to concede a penalty which Julie Clegg converted.

From the kick of Kathryn Watson fed Lol Kenny, running at pace, and she broke the line to score a try with defenders trailing behind her.

As the first half neared its end Mel Vause was held up over the line but a quickly taken tap penalty by Julie Walker sent Emma Bolton scrambling over for the second try to make it 15-5 at the interval.

In the second half Richmond dominated possession but excellent defence, particularly from Sonia Bassett and Louise Hughes, prevented them from clawing back the lead until a try in the final 10 minutes, again scored out wide.

With one score in it, Vale finally managed to control possession and Emma Bolton exploited hesitation in the Richmond defence to touch down under the posts and seal the cup for the Vale ladies. Julie Clegg added the conversion.

o At the clubs award dinner on Friday night, Luci Ollerton was the player of the season and Lol Kenny won most improved player.