When girls had to play rugby in secret | Brief letters

Congratulations to the Red Roses on a magnificent win in the Women’s Rugby World Cup final (Sport, 27 September). How things have changed. At boarding school in south Wales in the early 1950s, we avidly followed those desirable young men in the local and Welsh national teams. To emulate our idols, we would play an illicit and unmaidenly game of touch rugby on an asphalt netball court when our fearsome gym mistress wasn’t looking, switching quickly to netball if she appeared.
Valerie Lewis
Wantage, Oxfordshire

When cycling, I make no assumptions about priority on shared paths that allow pedestrians and cyclists (Letters, 29 September). I merely politely “ding-ding” when pedestrians are sprawled across the whole carriageway, often with a dog on a very long lead. I am aware that bringing dogs into the mix is likely to set a cat among the pigeons.
Deirdre Burrell
Mortimer, Berkshire

Israel’s prime minister has said the current “peace” proposals will ensure that “Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel” (Report, 29 September). Will the proposals also ensure that Israel never again poses a threat to Palestinians?
Blaine Stothard
London

A favourite subtitle mondegreen of mine was “Jerry the taxman” for Jeremy Paxman (Letters, 30 September).
Sue Wallace
Thame, Oxfordshire

Sperm racing has got $10m seed funding? I cannot conceive of a more fitting source (G2, 30 September).
Ron Jacob
London