Premiership round up

Wins for Richmond, Saracens, Lichfield and Worcester came at the weekend in the English Women's Premiership with all fixtures going ahead despite the poor weather conditions. Richmond stay a single point ahead of Saracens in the table while bottom side Aylesford Bulls came agonisingly close to their second win, coming up just a point short against Lichfield.

Published by Alison Donnelly, November 24th, 2014

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Premiership round up

Image: Worcester's Megan Goddard on the way to her try. Picture thanks to www.ajbphotographic.co.uk

Wasps 8 Worcester 12

Wasps are developing an unwelcome habit of letting leads slip late in games with two such results recently against Lichfield and this time it was Worcester who profited from a late slip from the hosts at a muddy Twyford Avenue.

The visitors applied the early pressure and it was clear that this game would be close and intensive. Wasps repelled a wave of forward charges, in which Rochelle Clark was always prominent. The home side then came back in similar vein, with Claire Purdy leading the pack admirably.

About 20 minutes in, Wasps made it over Worcester’s try line but were held up. The enthusiasm from the home side continued as Emilia Kristiansson stole a line out and charged up the pitch. Finally a penalty from Tess Gardner gave the hosts a halftime 3-0 lead.

The second half commenced with Wasps fly half Tina Lee making good use of the conditions and home pitch knowledge, continually kicking into the corners and this tactic paid dividends as Worcester gifted a try, throwing a loose pass after Lee’s kick confused the defence with Gemma Rowland going over.

Worcester continued to press and played some excellent running rugby given the conditions, with Megan Goddard and Ceri Large prominent in the attacks and a combined move saw Large putting the visitors on the score board with an excellent try.

With fifteen minutes remaining, the visitors were judged to have missed a penalty kick but when Megan Goddard set off on a forceful run, beating several defenders, to put the visitors in the lead for the first time the lead was won and maintained by the Kat Merchant coached Worcester outfit.

Bristol 13 Saracens 25

Saracens kept the pressure on Richmond at the top of the table with this solid win.

Saracens scored first with a try on five minutes through Rachael Potter, only for Amber Reed to close the gap with a penalty a few minutes later.

Katie Mason was penalised for holding on at the breakdown and Saracens capitalised and scored their second try of the afternoon through Jeanni Vinueza Loyola. Their third came shortly after Mason returned to the pitch again through Potter, however Bristol’s Abbie Brown added a try of her own after some quick reactions and turn of pace from the team to end the half at 15 – 8.

With all to play for in the second half, Saracens took the next score bring the total to 20 – 8 with experienced scrum half Georgina Gulliver dotting down. With 20 minutes to go, Saracens saw their side reduced to 14 for an infringement at the breakdown, and Bristol took their turn to capitalise on the number difference. Bristol were awarded a penalty and Lucy Demaine combined a burst of speed with excellent footwork and crossed the try line to bring the score to 20 – 13, leaving the result hanging in the balance for the final 10 minutes.

Back to full strength, Saracens scored again five minutes before the final whistle thanks to a try from England hooker Victoria Fleetwood and a good result in difficult conditions.

Richmond 15 DMP Sharks 7

In horrendous conditions, this game didn’t have the most auspicious start with a knock on from DMP. The Richmond scrum looked particularly strong, with Chloe Edwards making her debut at tighthead prop. This led to a strong period of play from the home team however they were unable to take any points from it.

The game continued at pace with both sides having opportunities to score. Katy McLean was a constant threat with tactical kicks into the Richmond half however fullback Oli Davies and winger Rebecca Ball gathered up the ball on each occasion before the DMP wingers could get there although Ruth Laybourn looked back to her best with several strong runs.

It wasn’t until 25 minutes in that a score came. Richmond used their power at the scrum to allow Becky Essex to cross the line.

Richmond continued to pressure up to halftime with Oli Davies scoring in the corner before captain Emma Croker scored on halftime.

With their 2nd team game cancelled, Richmond had a fresh set of shirts to put on during the break however it didn’t help the play with DMP’s birthday girl Ruth Nash scoring soon after the restart. McLean converted with ease.

While the rain had stopped, the ground conditions meant that this was never going to be a classic match. The fast-paced running rugby that both coaches favour was not the style for the day and we saw no more scoring before the final whistle however the watching crowd were treated to a tight contest between two very competitive sides.

Lichfield 13 Aylesford Bulls 12

Aylesford started the game at great pace, attacking at every opportunity and were soon pinning Lichfield in their 22. But the visitors fought back and found themselves with an early opportunity to put the ball through the sticks for a three point advantage after 8 minutes.

The Bulls came again, with the pack dominating in the scrums and at close quarters. A number of opportunities presented themselves but the breakthrough didn’t come until nigh on half time when Catherine Spencer finished off a series of high quality rucks. The conversion was expertly added by replacement flyhalf Vicki Benbow. 7-3 the half time score.

A poor restart by Lichfield put them under pressure but Lichfield picked themselves up took the initiative in the second period. Bulls soaked up the attack, centres Kate Hodgkinson, Christine Lawrence and the excellent Csilla Feher exerting massive pressure, until the Lichfield second row powered over, giving the visitors a slight advantage. 7-8.

More pressure from Aylesford saw them work their way into the Lichfield 22, expertly stretching the Lichfield defence and leaving a two man overlap. The ball reached centre Lawrence who dived over the line. But she was adjudged to have knocked on and a scrum given to the visitors.

Huge pressure, again from the pack saw the ball turned over and second row Sammy Palmer bullocking over for 12-8 on 70 minutes.

The Bulls had just 10 minutes to hold on, but Lichfield came back strong. A missed tackle out wide saw a foot race, alas Lichfield just beating the Aylesford chasers to the ball. 7 minutes to go 12-13.

Aylesford went on the attack again, powering into the Lichfield half.

The Bulls gained a bonus point from the game and continue to improve with every 80 minutes played.

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