WOMEN playing rugby...don't be daft! That was more or less the response the ladies at Colne and Nelson RUFC got when they decided it was time to show the men how to ruck and maul.

Much to the amusement and amazement of the menfolk the Ladies team formed back in 1994.

But the men's disbelief was met by the women's determination - they were hell bent on winning over their archaic hosts.

Current captain Angela Denton had more reasons than most to wipe the smirk off their faces as her father Charles Saunders and husband Aaron Denton were both members of the club.

"When we said we were going to start a ladies rugby team the men laughed," recalled 24-year-old Angela. "They just couldn't believe it but that made us more determined."

But how times have changed -- especially as it seems it is the women who are winning all the silverware.

Back in 1994, they hit the ground running and got even better, which had to make the men sit up take notice.

"We had a great first season and it got better the season after. Those men who were laughing at us were now supporting us."

The club won the Vale of Lune 10-a-side tournament in 1996 and the Plate competition in York the same season. The team returned to the Vale of Lune and won the Plate competitions in 1999 and 2001.

So eight years on they have rightly earned the respect of the men and now they are preparing to play Nottingham Casuals in the Northern semi final of the National Challenge Cup.

"This is probably the best team I have been in since we formed," said the second row forward, now in her second season as captain.

"We normally don't make it past the first round of this competition but now we are just two games away from the national finals. Credit has to go to our coaches Robert Greg and Mick Gillam for getting us there."

As well as having to deal with the usual bumps and bruises of the rough and tumble of rugby, the women are hamstrung in a way the men never are.

"Players falling pregnant is a problem," said Angela. "Once that happens they are out of action for a year. Thankfully that hasn't happened this season.

"We do have problems recruiting players and getting a full team out. Some of the students in the team have to work the day we play while others have to look after their children. But we somehow manage to cope."

The team has a mix of youth and experience from the Holmes sisters Josie, Lilian and Elsie, who make up the bulk of the pack, to full back Ella Redhead who is in the Lancashire squad.

But over the years, the team have certainly picked up on the social side of the game as well as the skills picked up on the pitch.

"The social side of things is great and we have a pact that if we don't win on the pitch then we will certainly win the drinking games back in the bar!"

Anyone interested in joining the club should contact the clubhouse on 01282 863339.