With Haverfordwest RFC ladies’ team having gained promotion last season there was clearly the need to build up the overall strength of their squad for this new campaign and so they were delighted to recruit Lisa Neumann as a strong running centre who can also play at full back if needed.

Lisa originally hails from St Davids, where her brother Moritz set out in the oval-ball game before adding to his experience at Haverfordwest and then swiftly moving up another notch as a powerful centre with Narberth.

Combining studies with rugby . . .

For the past three years Lisa has been studying biomedical science at Manchester University and not only gained a first-class honours degree but played regularly for the college's first team at a high standard of ladies' rugby.

"I went training as soon as my first term began in Manchester and it proved a good move because there was a warm welcome for newcomers and terrific camaraderie amongst the players and coaching staff.

"It was great to be involved in the first team from the outset as we played strong opposition from other universities like Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield Hallam, Newcastle, Edge Hill and especially Sheffield, who are traditionally very strong and beat us twice in my first year.

. . . And doing well in both!

 "We trained every Monday and Wednesday, and split the sessions so that there was one devoted to fitness and the other focussing on basic skills, defence and the contact area - and we soon came together and overall had a good season."

Sadly, a couple of niggling injuries prevented her from playing as regularly as she hoped during her second year but she managed to stay quite fit by running as often as possible and using the gym at every opportunity.

Then came the final season in Manchester in the summer just passed -when she not only graduated in style but was an integral part of the Manchester University Ladies' team which topped their league with the record of seven wins from nine matches, with a huge points’ difference of 156 to show how well they did.

"The highlight was undoubtedly beating Sheffield for the first time to take the title in front of a good crowd - and I scored early on as a bonus because our coaches said they might struggle if they couldn't dictate play: and they were right because we finished up 29-0 winners!"

“We also beat York 36-5 and it was results like this that saw us do so well.”
 

Early start in rugby at Croesgoch

Lisa had started out in rugby when she was a nipper in Croesgoch Primary and when she attended Ysgol Dewi Sant she joined a team started by Mr Neil Davies and Miss Rachel Thomas, who has been an influence on her sport overall.

"We were really raw as a team but we loved playing together and we were surprised to win the Pembrokeshire title - and even more astounded when we became Welsh champions with players of the calibre of Steff Harries, Rhian Perry, Jess Jones and Zoe day to the fore.

"From there I had a few games for Haverfordwest Girls' team that was run by the brilliant Clodagh Llewellin but I was very young and to be honest I wasn't as committed as I should have been!"

Successful too at cross country . . .

Outside of her rugby, Lisa was also a useful cross-country runner in school and represented Pembrokeshire after doing well in the county championships at Oakwood - and from there it was on to the Dyfed Championships in Brecon.

She did so well that Lisa is now the proud possessor of two Welsh cross-country vests after competing against the other home nations - and made it a hat-trick with a difference as she also represented Wales in fell running in Ireland.

"I always thought cross country was tough but it paled in comparison to running across moorland, through bogs, uphill and down dale, which was something else," admitted Lisa with a chuckle!

. . . And also on the track

Lisa also joined Pembrokeshire Harriers, where she was made enormously welcome by Pete Freeman and the other coaches.

"I really enjoyed competing in 1,500 and 3,000 metres races, taking part in the Louise Arthur League and the Gerald Codd Memorial Trophy."

There was further involvement in school sport, under the legend that is Miss Thomas, as Lisa played hockey at county level and at netball, too.

Started with The Blues in ‘Man-Up’ sevens

But now it is rugby that occupies Lisa's sporting spare time as she is involved at the Blues headquarters in Merlins Bridge.

Her first appearances came in a pre-season friendly sevens tournament, coincidentally organised in St Davids by Fintan Godkin and Carwyn Richards of 'Man-Up UK' fame. There were only three teams there so they played each other twice before a final between The Blues and the Flamingoes, which was drawn three tries apiece, so they shared the silverware.

Lisa played in the pack for that sevens’ tournament and readily admits she would not want to be a regular prop or second row, because it is hard physical work in that forward battle.

And finally . . .

Unfortunately, Lisa tweaked a quad muscle soon afterwards and so missed out on the team's two 15-aside matches.

But now she is back in action and raring to go under the watchful eye of coaches Gareth Charles and Ben John.

"I just want to enjoy my rugby and I have no doubt that Haverfordwest Ladies team is the one for me," Lisa told us.

She is clearly an enthusiastic, modest and likeable young lady and we wish her every success with her new club, where she is sure to do well!