A RISING Ripon rugby star was celebrating this week after being on the winning team in two international matches.

Caroline Bell, 21, of Newsham, near Thirsk, was a member of the England Senior Academy side which beat the full Holland team 5-0 in London last weekend. The academy is the last step up before the England team proper and only takes in 39 players a year.

Bell, who plays in the centre, made her full debut and was vice-captain against the Dutch. "It was great," she said. "There is nothing like singing your national anthem in front of a home crowd.

"We train as a squad of 39 and the actual 22 that played had never played together before, so there was a bit of getting to know each other's play.

"It wasn't the prettiest game to watch, but we kept a clean sheet and got the result that we wanted."

Bell is one of two backs from Ripon Ladies WRUFC in the academy. She made her first international appearance as a substitute in the academy's victory against the full Ireland team at Waterford in February.

The Ireland match saw her line up with fellow Ripon player Sam Spence, 24, of Skipton, who played on the wing. The pair have forged a formidable partnership at the heart of the Ripon team and displayed the same understanding in Ireland, when Bell put Spence through to score.

"It was great to combine to score with someone from your club," she said. "We are looking forward to playing together for a full game.

"Flying over to another country and beating them on their own soil was amazing. The whole squad really pulled together that weekend - nobody expected us to do that well."

The academy's next game is the biggest clash of the season against Wales in Chester on April 14. "It will be the academy's hardest game this year," she said. "Both Sam and I are hoping to be selected."