IT was a sweet win on home soil for Kaitlan Leaney and Brianna Hoy as the NSW Waratahs won the Buildcorp Super W trophy in Coffs Harbour defeating the Queensland Reds 45-12.

Kaitlan and Brianna grew up in Coffs Harbour playing for and against each other at the Coffs Harbour Snappers Rugby Union Club and the SCU Marlins Rugby Union Club and were cheered on every step of the way by their home crowd at C.ex International Stadium.

Kaitlan told News Of The Area about the amazing experience.

“Such an amazing experience that I’m incredibly grateful for.

“Bri and I were very lucky to have our family and friends there, it made the atmosphere so much fun and made all of the Tahs girls feel supported.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome and to get the win on home soil made it so much sweeter,” said Kaitlan.

For Brianna Hoy it was an experience she won’t forget.

“It was really a once in a lifetime experience, to see so many not only friends and family but supporters of women’s rugby out there was really amazing to see.

“And to be able to see the next generation of young boys and girls standing at the fence cheering, just as excited as I was at that age was very surreal.

“I felt extremely proud to have the competition in my hometown,” said Brianna.

Inspirational Waratahs captain Grace Hamilton praised the energy levels of Kaitlan and Brianna.

“Kaitlan and Bri have such high energy levels, the girls are tough, it’s the area they come from, they are just tough and great to play with.

“They have such a lovely family who have been really helpful to us in Coffs Harbour, their grandmother made us a cake which we loved.

“We love Coffs Harbour, but we just want to see more of it, we are in a bubble so we are restricted with our movements but we definitely want to see more next time, it’s a beautiful place,” concluded Grace.

 

By David WIGLEY