FORMER Dorchester flanker Maisy Allen has made her debut at England’s highest level.

Allen turned out for Gloucester-Hartpury Ladies in the Allianz Premier 15 league having risen up through the youth ranks at Dorchester.

Allen’s side made her debut even more special with a 27-6 away win at Sale. Gloucester now sit mid-table with their next game today against second-placed Saracens set to be a tough test for them.

Allen came to Dorchester via Wimborne and Oakmeadians and joined up with Alice Lockwood and Delaney Burns who have also both gone on to play at the highest level.

Throughout her time at Dorchester, Allen was an integral part of the team as her passion, pride and commitment always demonstrated her determination to succeed.

Allen’s coach at Dorchester, Dave Critchel, said: “She possessed natural athletic ability with outstanding technical skills and her desire to always improve made her a real pleasure to coach.

“Maisy was a natural flanker and always involved in the game, a very balanced runner with a fine sidestep. She helped the team score many tries.

“Along with her fantastic knowledge of the game, Maisy is a fantastic motivational player and will strive to help her teammates get the most from their game too, always encouraging them to perform well.

“We always had high hopes for Maisy knowing she possessed the qualities of a top-class player. We will now watch her career with the utmost pride.”

Allen’s debut for Gloucester-Hartpury is the culmination of 11 years of hard work, determination and passion for the game.

Whilst playing at Dorchester she also played for Dorset & Wilts and was nominated to join the Bristol Bears Academy.

Whilst at the Academy, Allen was selected at age group level for England in the Sevens squad. Now in her second year at college, Allen has been called into the senior Gloucester-Hartpury squad and also the England Under-20 squad.

In a fine testament to the youth setup at Dorchester, Allen has become the third lady to play at the highest club level in England along with an international call-up, with no less than six boys moving in to senior Premiership and Pro14 squads along with four of them having international call-ups.

With the newly introduced Clayson Scaffolding development fund, the club is hoping for more success to come from its youth section.