Stroud Sport

Penrith on the brink of World Cup glory

By SNJ Sport

10:20am Wednesday 1st September 2010

KING’S Stanley winger Amber Penrith is on the brink of Women’s World Cup rugby glory.

Amber and England will take on Australia at the Twickenham Stoop on Wednesday, 8.15pm.

This could be a dream year for Penrith, who is getting married six days after hoping to make an appearance in the World Cup final.

Amber scored a try in England’s 82-0 victory over Kazakhstan and against the USA in the final group game.

She has not looked back since taking up the game. Amber said: “I was at University of Wales Institute in Cardiff and Elaine, a persuasive neighbour in my hall, encouraged me to come along and give it a go.”

It led to selection for England Students in 2001-02 before England Academy beckoned. In 2005, she stepped up to England A and made her debut for the senior side two years later. Amber has played four times at Twickenham and has the burning ambition to score a try there.

She narrowly missed a fifth appearance at HQ when her UWIC side was held to a 19-19 draw by Loughborough University after extra time in the 2001 BUSA semi final but their opponents went through to HQ on the ‘more tries’ rule.

Amber said: “It was all very emotional.” With fine timing, she celebrated her tenth cap against Kazakhstan in the 2010 WRWC match with England’s tenth try in an 82-0 win.

Born in Stroud, she was educated Leonard Stanley Church of England Primary School and Maidenhill Secondary, both in Stonehouse, and Archway Sixth Form College in her native town.

She then gained a BSc (Hons) in Sports Coaching at university and teaches physical education at Ebbw Vale Comprehensive School.

Amber has completed one season in her second spell of playing for Worcester, the first being from 2002-06.

She also appeared for Cardiff Quins between 2006 and 2009 and captained England Academy. An unusual touch to her sporting activities is playing touch rugby for Wales and she loves running, mountain biking, mountain walking and windsurfing.

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