English Premiership going to the wire

Crucially Saracens take a one point lead into the final round of games, when they will play Wasps, while Richmond will be pushing for maximum points against Bristol on the road. It promises to be a fascinating finale.

The game between the two leaders of the league was slow to get going but a pulsating second half in front of a decent crowd made it well worth a watch.

The hosts scored first with a fine finish from England wing Natasha Brennan as despite early pressure, Saracens fell 5-0 behind. Numerous handling errors thwarted both side’s efforts in that opening half. It took a superb solo effort from Alex Matthews, playing in the centre on the day, to give Richmond a real edge in the second half as would-be tacklers fell away to see her race 60 metres to the try line for a 10-0 lead.

Saracens though hit back and Zira Handley calmly kicked a penalty to get their first points on the board before Poppy Cleall scored their first try. Handley converted to tie the scores at 10-10 and it was game on.

Richmond took the chance to go into the lead with a penalty from Abi Chamberlain however Saracens came straight back with a try out wide from Lotte Clapp to make it 13-15 with less than 10 minutes remaining.

Richmond’s maul began dominate and Saracens gave away one too many penalties resulting in a yellow card. Another maul saw Richmond recycle the ball and Matthews looked sure to get her second when there was an infringement and the referee signalled a penalty try.

Richmond converted to give them the lead and held on for the remaining few minutes to take the win.

ElsewhereBristol stormed to a huge 106 – 5 win over Aylesford Bullswith their victory taking them to third in the Premiership table.

16 tries from 8 different players, combined with 13 conversions from the boot of Amber Reed gave Bristol a score line to be proud of and amounted to a difficult day for the bottom side of the league.

Sydney Gregson, who scored four during the game, got her first within 30 seconds of kick off, with May Campbell and Tilly Vaughan Fowler adding two more within 10 minutes.

The first half progressed steadily, with Aylesford fighting hard to curb the Bristol attack. Gregson got her second on 14 minutes, followed by scores from Lucy Demaine, Amy Wilson Hardy and Devon Holt. Aylesford found a way through just before half time and got a try of their own, only for Nolli Waterman to come straight back and cross the try line twice in quick succession.

Gregson scored her third and four before being replaced by Rosie Kells on 48 minutes, leaving Amy Wilson Hardy to add three more of her own, Vaughan Folwer to get her second, with Captain Amber Reed closing the game with a fine try and conversion.

Bristol take on Richmond at home next weekend at Ashton Gat at 5pm after the men’s side play

Yorkshire Carnegie at 3pm, with tickets available from the Bristol Rugby website.

Up atLichfield, the hosts took a 21-10 win over Waspsto move into fourth position.

Wasps opened the scoring through their right wing Rebecca Rowe who beat the covering defence to score in the corner.

Lichfield improved and went close on a couple of occasions and Wasps were put under pressure when Marlie Packer was yellow carded on the half hour mark. In the second half, playing with the wind, Lichfield took control of the game led by their outstanding fly half and captain Tash Jones by playing quick passing running rugby. Their first try came after 54 minutes when following an excellent break by Millie Wood, Lichfield got the ball to right wing Jasmine Coyne, who outpaced the defence to touch down. Sarah Nicholas added the conversion to give Lichfield the lead 7-5.

Lichfield scored their second try when after 60 minutes, following an outstanding handling move across the back line, full back Sarah Nicholas quick pass to Jasmine Coyne put her in for her second try, also converted by Nicholas to increase their lead to 14-5.

Despite conceding another try to Wasps, through Rowe, Lichfield grabbed third and final try through the excellent  Amy Cokayne who beat several tackles to score on 70 minutes, with Sarah Nicholas adding the extras to give Lichfield a 21-10 victory.

Worcester were soundly beaten by an impressive Darlington Mowden Park Sharks team(32-14) and the crowd braving the blustery conditions were treated to a master class in fly half play by Sharks’ and England Captain, Katy McLean.

McLean made excellent use of the wind in the first half, kicking intelligently to the corners and exposing Worcester’s weakness in the line out.

She opened the scoring with a penalty after 8 minutes and DMP increased their lead with try from the very lively Fiona Davidson, and further try from McLean, who also took the extras to give Sharks a 0-15 lead at half time.

Stern words from the Worcester coaches saw a more determined effort at the opening of the second period with a try on 45 minutes from Worcester’s outstanding player, Bianca Blackburn. Goddard took the extras. However, their comeback was short-lived as McLean added her second try, also converting minutes later, then added a penalty.

The home side rallied and Blackburn again crossed the line and the Goddard conversion on 76 minutes gave the home side some hope salvaging the game, but Sharks were undaunted pressing to the end with a try from Emily Hunter, again converted by the excellent McLean.

Worcester visit Lichfield on Sunday 18th January for the final league fixture and will have to improve their game to consolidate their league position.

Image thanks to Kate Clements