Caerphilly Observer
Member Sign in Manage Membership
Become a Member - no ads
Menu
  • News
    • Senedd
    • Business
    • Newport
    • Opinion
  • Sport
    • Rugby union
    • Football
  • Membership & Subscriptions
  • Notices
  • Obituaries
  • About
    • Advertise
  • Sponsored Content
Menu

Women’s rugby side on the brink rebuilds to reach Principality Stadium bowl final

Sport | Tom Hicks | Published: 09:45, Thursday March 6th, 2025.
Last updated: 16:10, Friday March 7th, 2025

Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

The Sirens are heading to the Principality Stadium after beating West Swansea Hawks

Senghenydd Sirens have gone from struggling to field a side to boasting more than 30 players in less than two years, and are now on the cusp of an historic treble.

Head coach Joe Harwood was “searching for a new challenge” when he decided to leave Pontyclun Falcons, who he’d had title-winning success with.

A challenge is exactly what he found at Senghenydd, whose women’s side were in the second tier, but each week were forced to call games off due to a shortage of players.

Dropping down a division to focus on getting a consistent squad together, Joe has managed to boost the playing numbers, and now the team are a few games away from winning the league – and have a trip to the Principality Stadium booked in.

Speaking to Caerphilly Observer, Harwood said: “It was a complete rebuild job, and we started with making training sessions fun and engaging.

“The use of social media helps to attract players, which was headed by Catrin Davies, and then of course winning games. When you win, people want to get involved.”

Senghenydd youngster earns starting spot for Wales U20s against Scotland

Winning is exactly what the Sirens have been doing this season – they sit top and undefeated in the third tier.

Harwood continued: “The league is going really well and we’ve just reached a final in the Principality Stadium after beating the West Swansea Hawks.

“I probably played it down a bit at first. It’s only the second time a side from the club would have gone to Cardiff to play in a bowl game so it’s a huge achievement and awesome for everyone involved.”

It hasn’t all been Harwood’s work though, he credited Hollie Dempsey, Matthew Wood, Charlotte Facey, Stuart Evans, Abby Cripps, Mel James and Dany Johnson for their efforts on and off the pitch to make the Sirens a success.

He added: “Getting that set-up in place, ensuring that the environment is right and that all the girls need to worry about is performing on a Sunday is vital.”

With another late-season cup competition also on the cards, the Sirens could land a historic treble for Senghenydd, something Harwood wants more people to get involved in.

“We’re always looking for new players. Next year if we get promoted we’d like to have one team in the championship and one team in the east division. I think I’m right in saying we’ll be the only women’s senior side in Wales to offer that.”

The Sirens are set to face Taffs Well on Sunday March 30 at the Principality Stadium.

You can get in touch with the Senghenydd Sirens and find out when training sessions are via their social media.

Senghenydd RFC mark 125th anniversary as clubs come together

Sign-up to our daily newsletter


Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts.

Become a member today

Senghenydd Sirens

Latest News

  • Caerphilly County Borough Council's headquarters in Tredomen
    Council leader seeks funding pledges from new Welsh GovernmentFriday, June 12, 2026
  • Calls for an end to term-time only pay for school support staffFriday, June 12, 2026
  • General view of M4 traffic at Newport
    Gridlock fears after minister takes M4 relief road ‘off the table’ and considers junction closuresFriday, June 12, 2026
  • Sioned Williams, Deputy First Minister and minister for social justice and equality
    Transgender people “feel under siege”Friday, June 12, 2026
  • Coronavirus vaccine
    Men B vaccine rollout announced following Kent outbreakFriday, June 12, 2026
  • Will Bishop, left, speaking with pupils at Trinity Fields School
    Pupils inspired by visit from gold-medal winning para-athleteFriday, June 12, 2026

Find out how the communities of Caerphilly County Borough get their names

Caerphilly

Legal & Public Notices

  • Notice of application for a premises licence: Cefn Fforest Miners Welfare HallFriday, June 12, 2026
  • Caerphilly County Borough Council public noticesThursday, June 11, 2026
  • Notice of application for a premises licence: Cross Oak Inn, OakdaleFriday, June 5, 2026
  • Caerphilly County Borough Council public noticesThursday, May 28, 2026
© 2009-2026 Caerphilly Media Ltd, Caerphilly Miners Centre for the Community Watford Road Caerphilly, CF83 1BJ. Incorporated in Wales No. 07604006.