“Kind of felt a little bit like sevens”- Ilona Maher makes her feelings known as she achieves notable moment on first start for Bristol Bears

Ilona Maher is soaring high after winning against Exeter Chiefs in her second game with the Bristol Bears. The Paris Olympic bronze medallist and runner-up in DWTS has made a prominent comeback with a completed try.

Maher has again capitalized on her talents, however, this time it's with the Premiership Women's Rugby league in England. She joined Bristol Bears on a three-month deal and recently her team won against Exeter Chiefs 41-31.

Maher scored her first try in the 55th minute when she ran across half the pitch in Sandy Park. To reach her goal, she successfully handled two tackles with her strength and speed. Recently, she shared her thoughts with TNT Sports, on her sensational try. She said (1:28 onwards):

“I don't know if it was any relief, but it was, it kind of felt a little bit like sevens on that. I mean, my teammates did a lot of work to put me through, and I wanted to get through a couple defenders, which I was like, oh, it’s the sevens.”

She continued:

“So I think it's going to be now trying to figure out when I have three people in front of me, how do I get through them and what not... I don't know, I don't go around people. That's never been my thing, ever. I don't go around them okay. Always go through. I guess I could have gone around her. It's really not, like, natural for me.”

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Ilona Maher on her debut game and moving ahead with teamwork triumphs

Ilona Maher of Bristol Bears v Gloucester-Hartpury - Allianz Premiership Women's Rugby - Source: Getty

The three-time national intercollegiate rugby association championship winner, Ilona Maher, had also recently shared how she felt before her debut game. During an interview with TNT Sports, Maher revealed her thoughts.

“I was definitely very nervous. I think the coach was like, okay, you're going in 60 minutes, okay, we sure. But I think, I just wanted to, you know, do, make my teammates proud and, like, you know, show that I deserve to be out there.”

She continued:

“So I was, I felt that type of way but then once I did get on the field I just felt like okay this is rugby, like something I've been doing for the past 10 years now, something that's, you know, in my blood, I think so I felt really confident when I got there but also to my teammates, who are constantly talking to me, like Jazz, Joy, constantly telling me what she needs and making me feel like I can play to the best of my ability.”

With Bears, Maher captured her first victory against Chiefs and shared her appreciation for her teammates. The rugby player who has garnered millions of social media followers has skilfully made her way through her debut game.

Ilona Maher also mentioned how her teammates have been “so welcoming” and that they are always helping her whenever she sees any limitations. Maher continued to value the effort her Bears team put in, stating, “I think it's the best team I could have chosen.”