Barnsley RUFC Ladies have secured a second successive promotion and a place in a national cup semi-final this week.

After a 50-0 win against Doncaster Demons in the RFU Women's Junior Cup quarter-final on Sunday, the Shaw Laners were awarded a walkover win against the same opposition who failed to attend their schedule league game last week. That meant Barnsley are champions of National Challenge North One, after winning the division below in their first competitive campaign last season.

They have won every match they have ever played, apart from one league draw last season and defeat in the Women's Junior Cup final a year ago. Barnsley – who have won all 14 games this season including their last two by 50 points to nil – are due to play in the semi-final at Lewes in Sussex on March 12.

Coach Simon Frow said: "I'm very happy and very proud. It's amazing how far we have come in two seasons and the girls have done fantastically well. Hopefully we can go one better than last season and add to the league title with the cup win."

Barnsley have been promoted into the Championship North 2 which is the third level of English women's rugby. The division above is North 1 then a tier higher is the top flight Women's Premiership featuring international star players and clubs such as Wasps, Saracens and Bristol.

Frow said: "We want to go as far as we can. From what I have seen and heard, we should be able to at least hold our own in the league we are going into next season. We are only a couple of divisions below some of the best clubs and players in women's rugby.

"What has helped us is that we don't rely much on students like a lot of teams do. The vast majority of our players are from Barnsley or very close so they are based here and there is continuity.  

"There is a great set-up at Shaw Lane with good facilities. We get a lot of support from the club. There is a recognition that we are at the same level as the men and we are treated equally."

In Text Promo Image

Club chairman Stuart Bennett, who also manages the Ladies' team, said: "To get promoted in both of our first two seasons is beyond our wildest dreams.  I'm not sure if we can get to the Premiership, because most of those sides are based in the south and affiliated with professional men's teams. But I'd love us to become established in the second tier."

A Jess Roberts hat-trick and two tries from Alix Taylor, who added five conversions, helped the Shaw Laners into the semi-finals. When Barnsley and Doncaster met in the same round last year, the town team had to rely on an extra-time penalty from Taylor to send them through – but this was a much more straightforward win.

Roberts scored the first two tries then Hailey Swann and Leonora Salvucci crossed the line to make it 24-0 at half-time after Taylor kicked two of the four conversions. Ten minutes into the second half, Roberts completed her fourth hat-trick of the season. Taylor kicked another conversion then scored two tries and added the extras to both.  Sarah Carter got the final try.