Freya Challis (centre in picture) scored two tries on her debut at full back for Essex in the RFU County Championship Gill Burns Trophy Division 3 Pool 1 match against Oxfordshire on Sunday (19 May) held at Eton Manor RFC.

Essex won the match 69-5 and Freya has kept her place in the Essex side when they travel to play Staffordshire at Walsall RFC on Sunday (26 May). Freya is joined this weekend by Vixens front row forward Sorcha Caudery (right in picture) who has been named in the side as an impact player from the bench.

Fellow Vixens forward Lauren Hatch (left in picture) has also been called up with Freya and Sorcha to the wider County squad and she hopes to be involved in the final Essex pool match against Cumbria Women at Harlow RFC on Sunday (2 June).

East London RFC women’s rugby officer and vice chair Kat Salthouse said: “On behalf of everyone at the club, I congratulate Freya, Sorcha and Lauren on being called up by Essex. Freya had a stormer on her debut and we hope Sorcha and Lauren will soon get minutes on the pitch and earn their County honours caps.”