On Wednesday the 25th, NWR boarded the coach to Leeds in hope to qualify for the BUCS 7s Finals in Coventry next month. The prospect of competing against premiership teams dampened the hopes of the team despite their highly successful run this season. Despite leaving Newcastle in the sunshine, when NWR arrived in Leeds the heavens opened. With wind, rain and bitter temperatures against them, NWR stepped out for their first game against local north east rivals, Durham. Durham having finished 2nd in the premiership this season, were sure to test the Royals. However, following the kick off, NWR retained possession and played some excellent 7s. Support running and unbeatable defence kept the pressure on Durham and forced silly errors. As NWR advanced up the pitch, it was a Sonny Bill offload from centre Emma Boyle to partner in crime Rosie Neal to put the first the points on the board under the posts for Newcastle. Lebrecht converted to start the lead at 7-0. NWR kicked off again, this time with some confidence, and they started to have some fun. Some sweet offloads and quick turnovers allowed Holly Malins to steal possession and break four tackles resulting in her stretching her legs all the way from NWR's 22 to under the posts. Lebrecht converted again, giving the Royals a sufficient lead. Entering the second half with a 14-0 lead, the Royals didn't hang around. Strong defence and consistent tackling was rattling Durham and it wasn't before long that Captain Lebrecht saw a break in the line and seized the opportunity. Excellent commentary from McShane whilst support running, advised Lebrecht to time her draw and pass perfectly, opening up the wing for Boyle who turned on the gas and dived over the line. After 14 minutes, the Royals had beaten the Premiership standard Durham 17-0.

After attempting to keep warm in a pop up tent and avoiding the wind, the girls were back out on the pitch, this time to face last years BUCS 7s Champions, Leeds Met. Leeds Met strolled on, unfazed by the cold, looking ready to put their stamp on the competition. NWR, shaking and going blue, decided to have fun and began dreaming of being warm in a cosy pub. Leeds Met kicked off and put on a big chase but their larger girls with their big hits were no match for NWR's agile dancing feet. NWR may be a small side, but they are quick, creative and play for each other. These qualities shone through as Malins wasted no time on a penalty to tap and go, a hand off to the outside winger left her for dead as Malins scored over the line. Lebrecht, seeing Malins' placement allowed her to attempt the conversion! A 5-0 lead, definitely put fire in the Leeds Met bellies and they came back with a vengeance. Nevertheless NWR stole the ball once more, it seemed no one could handle the wet, muddy conditions except for the Royals of course, and Neal made a break, drawing two players to open a Flint-size gap in the line. A cheeky back-handed offload combined with the pace of the Flint, didn't give Leeds Met a chance. Flinty casually walked the ball under the posts, allowing Lebrecht to convert. The second half witnessed more sloppy play from Leeds Met, allowing NWR to keep the pressure on and time their attack. A tackle from Lebrecht allowed her to get back to her feet and steal the ball. Play from the breakdown saw the ball go out wide and once again NWR were in Leeds Met's 22. With three players committed to the breakdown, Lebrecht pulled out her "show-and-go" dummy to cut through the middle of the defence and score under the posts. Once on the attack again, NWR were being tired out by a multitude of scrums, so it left scrum-half McShane no choice but to go alone. For some one with such short legs, when McShane went blind there was no catching her. A diving try put the Royals score up to 22-0. In last play, despite a valiant chase of Leeds Met's no.14, NWR decided to let the Champions regain some pride and score under the posts. The final standing at 22-7.

Due to the weather, the competition was then cancelled. This meant NWR missed out on playing Sheffield and Leeds Uni, but having smashed the top two, they already felt like winners. Being the only team to have won both matches, Newcastle were clearly the best on the day. Newcastle have qualified for the BUCS 7s Finals on the 12th May and having had a taste for BUCS finals, and knowing it tastes sweet, the girls will be travelling down alongside the boys to get their hands on yet another cup.