In addition many past presidents of both Northumberland Rugby Union and Ponteland Rugby Club, there was special guest in attendance to receive a Privileged Membership Award from the County.

This award was in recognition of the service that Sarah Hunter MBE has given to rugby. Sarah has just returned from New Zealand where she captained the England Women's rugby team to an historic win over the Black Ferns in their own back yard. Brought up in Longbenton, Sarah initially played rugby league as a 9 year old before converting to rugby union and starting her junior playing career at Novos RFC.

In December 2016 Sarah was named World Rugby's women's player of the year after a stella 12 months.

Ponteland Rugby Club's immediate past president, Tony Murphy, can be seen presenting Sarah with the club's 50th Anniversary Book.

We look forward to seeing Sarah again at Ponteland when up visiting her parents and, hopefully, passing on some tips to our under 13s and under 15s girls squads.