The USA's women's national team players have been heavily involved throughout the Premier Women's Rugby league in the UK, and this past weekend was a nice example of it.
The big news, of course, was that USA 7s sensation Ilona Maher, with her massive social media following, Olympic Bronze Medal, Dancing with the Stars runner-up trophy, and plenty of buzz, got in her first game with the Bristol Bears.
It wasn't a lot of time, Maher came on as a late sub as the Bears are smart enough to ease her in, but Maher's comments about all the attention was typical of the class with which she carries herself.
Talking about how a crowd of fans came to the game (won by Gloucester-Hartpury 40-17) Maher said "if I am what gets them to a game, awesome, but I hope that they stay and realize the rugby that's being played and I hope they come back for another game. I think it's like getting them in the door, showing them what this is about and the level that's being played now ... and I hope that these guys come back for another game just to see the environment that it is."
The game set a PWR record with over 9,000 in attendance. So, yes, Ilona Maher is a draw.
Ealing took on Harlequins and lost in a thriller 46-39. USA and Ealing captain Kate Zachary was her usual brilliant self, helping direct a maul that scored twice, scoring a short-range try off a nifty play, and then scoring a brilliant solo effort when she fly-hacked a loose ball down the field, did it again, and snagged the ball off her boot tops to touch down.
The Trailfinders have struggled a bit but this was a very good showing in a losing cause.
