Abbie Ward scored a hat-trick of tries as she returned to action for the first time since her summer wedding by helping Harlequins Women smash the 100-point mark last Saturday.
The 27-year-old England international, whose maiden name was Scott, married ex-England and Harlequins player David Ward (35) in August and she starred as the new Allianz Premier 15s season got off to a delayed start because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Abbie’s three touchdowns came as Harlequins drubbed DMP Durham Sharks 103-0 at The Stoop, in London, running in 17 tries despite the game being reduced to 70 minutes under a string of changes brought in to reduce close contact and COVID-19 transmission in women’s rugby.
It was also a successful return from a hip injury for the former Keswick School pupil, who first played rugby for her home town club as a junior. The only down side was that there were no fans to witness the game because of the Government’s coronavirus restrictions.
However, Abbie — capped 42 times for England — is again expected to be in Harlequins’ second row tomorrow when they take on Wasps Ladies in a London league derby which is being televised live online (kick-off 2pm).
Barring injury, she is expected to play a key role for England this season and into the next world cup in New Zealand, where the hosts will be favourites to retain the trophy they won by beating the Red Roses in the 2017 final, in which Abbie played.
<B>LEFT<B>: Abbie Ward scored a hat-trick of tries for Harlequins Ladies in their 113-0 victory over DMP.
