Wales rugby league captain Rafiuke Taylor says their first international win was made that much sweeter as the men's team stuck around after their match to cheer the women on.

The newly-formed team beat the England Lions in a 24-20 nail-biting match which was a double header feature with the men in St Helen's.

The Dragonshearts, a Welsh amateur rugby league team, played before the women at the weekend but stayed behind to cheer them on.

Taylor said: "Yeah it was absolutely class. None of the players expected the boys to stay as they had a long trip back so we didn't really think about it.

"After we came off the pitch we realised they stayed and it was just class to get that support. For them to be cheering us was fantastic and they even made a tunnel for us after the match which was fabulous."

Taylor, who has also been capped for Wales in rugby union, says she had mixed emotions after final whistle blew at the weekend and that her side putting in a good performance meant more to her than winning.

The 41-year-old added: "It was mixed emotions. It was relief, disbelief, excitement.

"I think the win was second place to the fact that we performed as a team, we clicked as a team and everything seemed to fall into place. 

"The performance was a smidge more important than the win."

Although Taylor and her team were cheered on at Pilkington Recs ground in St Helen's by 450 supporters, Taylor's number one fan is her son, Roman. 

The 13-year-old is said to be 'proud' of Taylor's sporting achievements as well as her job as a full-time firefighter.  

Taylor said: "It is difficult to juggle everything whilst giving 100 per cent, but I have a lot of support from my family which helps a lot.

"My son is proud of my job and my sporting achievements which makes it all worthwhile. He comes first and he knows that, which is all that matters me.

"Being a firefighter is demanding physically and mentally but I love my job and I love the opportunity it gives me to help people.

"As for rugby, that's my 'me time'. It's what I use to relax and clear my mind, to decompress.

"After a game I'm ready to face whatever my hectic week has to throw at me head on."