Historic British Team Title For Welsh Women’s Gymnasts

By Carl Field

Fresh from their recent World Championship exertions in Antwerp, Welsh gymnasts Ruby Evans and Poppy-Grace Stickler were back in action over the weekend – and helped inspire Clwb Cymru Caerdydd to an historic British club triumph.

The Great Britain pair, along with team mates Mali Morgan, Evie Flage-Donovan and Ellie Lewis, were crowned Women’s Artistic British Team champions in Stoke-on-Trent on Sunday.

It is the first time since 1983 that a Welsh club has won the prestigious British women’s senior team title.

Clwb Cymru won with an overall score of 149.800 take top spot on the podium by four marks ahead of Robin Hood Gymnastics (145.500) and Park Wrekin (137.750).

“These girls have worked together since they were eight and nine years old so it meant a lot to them,” said head women’s national coach Tracey Skirton-Davies.

“I was thrilled that Poppy and Ruby chose to compete so soon after returning from the World Championships.”

Stickler went 48.800 all-around to finish second in the individual standings, while British vault champion Evans was again first on that piece of apparatus, ahead of Stickler.

The pair were also one and two on the floor.