Big win for Wasps gives leaders room to breathe at the top

English Women's Premiership:Wasps did Richmond a favour at the top of the table, toppling Saracens on home soil and ensuring that the reigning champions pulled four points clear. Saracens stay second but are still well in the hunt for this year's title. At the bottom end of the table OA Saints, who will be relegated this year, were forced to concede a walkover to DMP Sharks.

Richmond 32 Bristol Ladies 5

A struggling Bristol faced league-leaders Richmond in a tough fixture to start off the New Year. It was always going to be an tough battle between the two sides, as both had a lot to play for, albeit at different ends of the table. This was a particularly big game for Richmonds Nic Hoole, having recently transferred from Bristol mid-season. However, coming up against her old team mates for the first time in Richmond colours clearly didnt faze her, as she stormed through the defence to score one of Richmonds 6 tries.

This was most certainly a game of two halves. Both sides were impressive in the first half and very evenly matched. Richmond took a 10-0 advantage into half time with scores from Gemma Rowland and Lucy Allen and when the home team lost two players to the sinbin Bristol had a chance to capitalise on a two man advantage.

However their best efforts were thwarted by an excellent defensive effort and back up to full strength, Richmond ran away with it in the final 30, showing their superior game play and individual class.

Within minutes of kick-off, Richmond got off to a flying start, with quick hands out to winger Rowland who touched down in the corner. They continued to look dynamic from the off, running hard and displaying great handling skills. But Bristol were always strong in defence and were soon camped 5m from their try line. They earned a penalty under the posts but Kim Oliver was unable to claim the early points. The play continued on a very even keel with both teams kicking well for territory and crossing the gain line with aggression. However, the flow of the game was disjointed with a series of penalties from Richmond and an array of scrums and lineouts. Neither team gave each other space to play but Richmond finally found the gaps and Lucy Allen picked up their second try. Richmond continued to run dynamically with ball in hand but Bristol made some enormous tackles to prevent a further score in the first half.

At 10-0 down and with Richmond prop Lucy Allen and flanker Rowena Burnfield sin binned together just before half time, Bristol should have really closed down on Richmond. They opted for a scrum on the 5m line but were soon punished with a turn over and a storming run by Nic Hoole, who claimed half the pitch length before being tackled. Bristol then began the second half more impressively and after a fantastic break from Izzy Noel-Smith, centre Amy Wilson-Hardy confidently took on the last of Richmonds defence to claim Bristols only try.

Richmond stole the show in the second half. A team effort from a 5m scrum saw Whitney Howman scramble over the line under a heap of bodies from both sides, as well as fantastic individual tries from Nic Hoole and full back Barbara Pla demonstrating a wonderful kick and chase try landing right under the posts. This was the only try to be converted. As the half continued, both teams battled hard in the scrums and lineouts, with neither team coming out on top as they took their own and each others ball against the head. With their bonus point already secured, Richmonds backs finished off the game in style. Rowland stormed down the pitch, making huge ground, followed by simple hands out to winger Elizabeth Garcia who crossed over in the corner. Bristol found their tempo again in the last 10 minutes but Richmonds ball retention was just too good for Bristol to make a dent in the final score and the game finished 32-5.

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Wasps Ladies 22 Saracens Ladies 17

Wasps scored their biggest victory of the season with a home win against title chasers Saracens .

The home side matched Saracens for physicality in the breakdown area and coming back from behind to win by four tries to three.

Saracens took the first points of the match, using the wind to kick themselves into the Wasps 22, and switching play back onto the blind to get through from close range through winger Ziara Handley. Wasps quickly showed their intent in this game by getting into the Saracens 22, driving a maul 15m from a lineout and Michaela Staniford scoring through a pick and go from a ruck.

Both teams scored again in the first half, Saracens through Sonia Green and Wasps second try came from a fantastic run up the wing from half way by Michaela, continuing the form she has showed throughout 2011. Both Green and Wasps no8 Laura Quinn made ground breaking from the back of the scrum throughout the game, with both back rows really putting in quality tackles and stealing turn over ball.

The Saracens forwards crossed again shortly before half time Natalie McClarnon, despite some fantastic defence around the ruck by the Wasps pack.

Wasps, now playing with the wind behind them, continued to dominate in the set piece, providing clean go forward ball for the backs to show off their pace out wide. Strong forward play finished with Davinia Monteiro crossing, Hannah Edwards converted to bring the scores level at 17-17 with 30 minutes still to play.

Wasps held their belief that they could win the game, turning over the scrum and Barbara Chittock spotting the opportunity on the blind to put Liz Riley in for the winning try.

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Worcester 22 Lichfield 19

Local derbys are usually fiercely contested and on this occasion neither team disappointed.

On a perfect playing surface Lichfield announced their intention from the onset and opened the scoring after within the first two minutes, England prop Roz Crowley, playing at inside centre, cruising over the line, taking advantage of Worcester who had not appeared to switch on from the kick off. Emily Scarrett converted, Worcester 0, Lichfield 7.

The next 8 minutes saw a catalogue of missed tackles and errors from Worcester and it was no surprise that Lichfield increased their lead with a try from Emily Braund on eight minutes. Scarrett was unable to take the extras on this occasion but the future of the game looked worrying for Worcester. Worcester 0, Lichfield 12.

Worcester then rallied and when in possession looked dangerous as the ball passed speedily through the young backs. The rejuvenated Worcester team efforts were justly rewarded on 12 minutes when Ceri Large broke the line to score impressively under the posts and then converted her own try.

Worcester then moved into a purple patch of play and on 17 minutes levelled the game, when full use was made of the backs for Louise Dennis to score in the corner. Worcester 12, Lichfield 12.

At this stage the impressive crowd of 113 where probably wondering just how the game would proceed and were expecting a high scoring outcome.

Worcester continued to look the better team when in possession with Rochelle Clark in devastating form. It came as no surprise when Charlotte Keane along the wing to give Worcester the lead. Worcester 17, Lichfield 12.

Lichfield then rallied and the Worcester defence showed its courage and determination, keeping the score at 17 12 until half time.

The second half commenced with Lichfield throwing everything at Worcester, but uncharacteristic handling errors and some simple mistakes saw Worcester take advantage and increase their lead when Pippa Crews charged down a clearance to score in the corner on 52 minutes. Worcester 22, Lichfield 12.

Lichfield responded almost immediately with Emily Scarrett scoring and also taking the extras, Worcester 22, Lichfield 19.

Game on once again and at this point it would have been difficult to forecast a winner.

Lichfield then threw everything at the home side and retained possession for virtually all of the remaining 24 minutes, but Worcesters defence was resolute, however, Emily Scarrett did have an opportunity to level the game, but failed with her penalty.

Final score: Worcester 22, Lichfield 10. Not a game for the faint hearted supporter or coach and a great local derby.

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