Sheffield Ladies are back at Abbeydale this weekend following a two week layoff after their last outing against Barnsley. That was a historic weekend for the club as the Ladies fielded two teams on the same day for the first time, with The Roses also in action.

Despite that game ending in defeat, there was the feeling that the performance represented real strides forward for the Sheff Girls, as the physicality, commitment and skills on display were at a level not yet seen from the Club’s highest ranked team.

The Ladies will be in confident mood this weekend, ahead of the visit of Eccles Ladies, a team that Sheffield beat by 41 points away from home back in September.

There is reason for buoyancy in the Sheffield camp as the team selection welcomes back some key performers, who found themselves missing from the loss to Barnsley.

In the pack, the girls welcome back Ashleigh Creswell from a lengthy injury lay-off and will hope that she can add to the physicality that was displayed last week from Number 8.

In the backline, there is no shortage of creativity and pace throughout, Hannah Thornhill is welcomed back onto the wing, whilst Megan Dugdale will pull the strings from 10 with Lucy Okeden adding fire and ferocity outside her at 12. Charlie Mucklow continues to develop as a player and has looked solid all season under the high ball, but also offers genuine threat from 15.

This will be another exceptional game at Abbeydale and with the Ladies looking to kick on from the outstanding performance against Barnsley, there is no doubt that there will be fireworks aplenty, albeit a week or two late!

You’d be daft to miss it!