Carys and Lauren in action on opposite ends of the globe

HUNGERFORD’S international sportswomen starred on opposite sides of the world over the Easter weekend, writes Tony Jefferies.

Carys Cox may have been representing Wales in Saturday’s Women’s Six Nations fixture against England, but there was plenty of backing for the Hungerford star at Bristol’s Ashton Gate stadium.

Thatcham and Hungerford rugby clubs between them took more than 70 West Berkshire Warriors girls and parents to support England as they stormed to a 46-10 win.

The under-12s and under-14s teams formed by the two clubs used the trip to Bristol to celebrate as their first full season came to an end.

Left-wing Cox, who qualifies for Wales through her dad, Rob, began her rugby career with her home-town club and showed plenty to inspire the girls following in her footsteps.

She joined the West Berkshire girls for a signing session after the game and brought along England superstar Abby Dow, a team-mate from Ealing Trailfinders in the Women’s Premier League.

Cox and Dow both began their representative journey as juniors playing for Berkshire and South West England.

Almost 12,000 miles away, another Hungerford star, Lauren Bell, was in action for the England women’s cricket team on their New Zealand tour.

Having played a major role in the 4-1 T20 series win, pace bowler Bell kept her great form going in Easter Monday’s 50-over international in Wellington.

She finished with figures of 3-41from 9.2 overs as England restricted the home side to 207 before securing a four-wicket win.

The live television coverage proved to have a family flavour when Bell’s dad Andy was interviewed on the sidelines by reporter James Tito.

Andy and wife Megan are cheering on Lauren in New Zealand, and he was asked about the flag he had draped alongside him: “It’s Lauren’s home club, Hungerford. It goes wherever she goes.”