THE top points and try scorer in the Women’s Premier 15s says she’s still living the dream after rising from humble beginnings to a play-off semi-final with Gloucester-Hartpury.

Wing Ellie Underwood has notched up an impressive 86 points, including 15 tries, in her debut season at the pinnacle of domestic women’s rugby since signing from Drybrook.

But the 24-year-old from Wigpool says each try she scores feels just like the first as she plots a course to the Premier 15s Championship final alongside England World Cup winner Ceri Large.

“I haven’t played a lot of games so at the start of the season I just didn’t even think I’d be up there at all,” she said.

“To see my name up there at the top of the scoring charts - I just can’t believe it.

“I don’t feel like I’ve scored 15 tries. Each one feels like I’m scoring on my debut.

“But my tries are just the reward for the team’s work. I’m just finishing off what the team have created.”

Underwood started playing for Drybrook four years ago and admitted she didn’t even understand the game initially.

But her interest grew with watching rugby on television and a hunger to learn and improve drove her ambitions.

“I think back to how I didn’t understand rugby to start with, and how four years ago with Drybrook we were just starting out in the league,” added the former Squirrels captain.

“Now with Hartpury we’re about to play Saracens in the play-offs, I’m playing alongside Ceri and other England players like Bianca Blackburn and it reminds me how great an opportunity it is to have Gloucester so close.”

Underwood remembers being starstruck at her first trip to Allianz Park in February and playing alongside such esteemed company only prolongs her disbelief.

“I remember on my first start, I was on the team sheet at 11 and I sent a photo of the squad to my mum because I was so excited to be playing with Ceri,” she added.

“When she was coaching us at Drybrook she was always so clear with what she wanted and expected from us and she’s the same person on the pitch at Hartpury.

“She always gives me five minutes of one-to-one warm-up on a match day and that boosts my confidence so much.”

Underwood goes into Saturday’s play-off first leg believing Gloucester-Hartpury’s underdog tag will serve them well.

“Saracens have won the Premiership before so the pressure’s all on them,” she said.

“We wanted to be here at the start of the season and now we’re the underdogs, but don’t underestimate us.

“We’re a good side and I believe we can make the final.”