Richmond hit the top after derby win

Saracens 10 Richmond 15

Richmond came away with the spoils in this top of the table clash in North London winning 15-10, and thereby replacing Saracens as the Premiership leaders. Richmond were heavily dominant from the start sieging the Saracens line for the best part of the first half.

Saracens showed dogged defence, however with the constant pressure founded on the work of an incredibly powerful Richmond pack, cracks eventually showed in the Saracens defensive line as space was exploited for Richmond's rapid winger Barbara De La Vegue, to touch down in the corner, giving Richmond the lead 5-0 at the 25 minute mark

Richmond maintained their constant pressure with excellent tactical kicking from the returning Alice Richardson and Saracens struggled to ascertain any composure early on, forever making simple errors that allowed Richmond's pack of Wheeler, Amy Turner and Rowena Burnfield to continue to lead the charge. Somehow, Saracens escaped still in touch of the Richmond scoreline and when they finally goy their hands on the ball, winger Louise Meadows sprinted into the corner only to be halted by a great tackle by full back Abi Chamberlin. However, the ever present Maggie Alphonsi was on hand to pick up the loose ball and to equal the score 5-5. A Richmond scrum right on the half time mark allowed space once again for the excellent De La Vegue to score a truly wonderful solo effort, burning three bewildered Saracen's players to score her second of the game and importantly give some distance between the teams, 10-5.

A much more composed Saracens team entered the second half and began to play a little bit more rugby in the Richmond half founded on a more solid set piece, allowing Sonia Green to break from the half way line off the back of a scrum. Showing all her international seven's skills, she stood up the equally rapid De La Vegue and although halted on the line, back row partner Hannah Gallagher mopped up and touched down to equal the score, 10-10 with 20 minutes remaining.

In a ferocious final quarter, well contested by both sides, the game remained on a knife edge with neither side capable of breaching the other's defensive wall. However, a well worked Richmond driving maul into the Saracen's 22m area, resulted in a yellow card for the Saracen's lock Laura Miller for collapsing a maul. Down to 14, Saracen's continued to hold out the Richmond charges and constant threats of De La Vegue, Rachael Burford and the welcome return of Number 8, Suzie Brown who began to impose herself on the game. Right on the 80 minute mark, the ball was worked wide where Sara Anastasi finished well stretching for the line to score the deserved winning try much to the delight of the away travelling supporters. Saracens managed only in small patches to show the kind of rugby that has taken them to the top of the table this season, however there was no question that Richmond were on top in this game and won with a powerful display of rugby.

To see the team line-ups and scoring sequence seehere

Bristol 10 Lichfield 18

In fine rugby conditions, Lichfield faced a struggling Bristol side who were determined to find a much needed win on home soil. This wasnt to be though as after a hard-fought game, Lichfield came out the 18-10 winners.

The game started at an intense pace and Lichfield stole an early scrum. They sent the ball out wide to winger Liz Pulson who showed off her lightning speed down the line and would have certainly scored, had it not been for a fantastic tackle by Bristols full back, Kay Wilson. Bristol came straight back in attack with a break from centre Amy Wilson-Hardy, making massive ground and ending in a penalty right in front of the posts. Sarah Graham converted this to put Bristol ahead within the first few minutes. A penalty soon came Lichfields way though and Emily Scarratt brought the score level.

As the wind and rain picked up, the two sides battled hard, and both had a lot of possession, keeping it tight in the forwards. Lichfield turned over a lot of Bristol ball, but were unable to utilise the advantage. However, a gap in Bristols line near to the breakdown meant that Natasha Mo Hunt was able to pick up an easy try, followed quickly by another for Rachel Jones due to more mistakes in Bristols defence.

Despite being 15-3 down, Bristol continued to attack, with some strong forward carries and an outstanding performance from Izzy Noel-Smith, playing at 8. But their attack was matched by Lichfields and Bristol had to defend hard for a long period before the half time and backs Katie Mason and Sally Tuson put in some almighty hits to stop both Lichfield wingers claiming more tries on the outsides.

In the second half, Bristol looked strong with ball in hand and despite the ever worsening conditions, showed some impressive handling and off-loading. Kim Oliver had good intentions with her kicking game, but Lichfield were quick to get under high ball and claim the territory back. After a long spell without either side scoring, Bristol suddenly had a strong surge, with some aggressive attacking play and a series of pick and goes. Asking a lot of Lichfields defence, Bristol continued to storm the 5m line and eventually, were rewarded for their efforts when Marlie Packer rammed her way through to score under the posts. Oliver converted and brought Bristol closer.

But it was not to be Bristols day, and Lichfield kept up the intensity throughout the final 20 and their backs were a real threat. However the score line remained unchanged and the game finished 18-10. Despite picking up a bonus point, Bristol will be disappointed with another loss while Lichfield chase Wasps with just one point between them.

To see the team line-ups and scoring sequence seehere

Wasps 58 OA Saints 3

Wasps bounced back from defeat in the last round with a comfortable win at Twyford Avenue.

The home team scored 10 tries in all as they ran in some excellent scores against a Saints side still searching for any kind of win this season. Wasps started the game featuring three capped Black Ferns with Steph Te Ohaera Fox, Hallie Hurring and Barbara Chittock all starting and all three made positive impacts. It was prop Fox who opened the scoring, when Wasps had too much power and drive up front with the front row stretching to score in the corner after just a few minutes.

Number 8 Laura Quinn then dived over in similar circumstances grabbing a brace of tries inside 15 minutes as Saints found themselves 15-0 behind. The visitors though showed plenty of tenacity with Leah Carey and Elisha Dee showing strongly at the breakdown, making a number of solid turnovers.

Hallie Hurring then got on the end of a good sequence of backline passing to score in the corner before Saints picked up their first points a penalty from Scotland international Caroline Collie. Before the break Wasps added another try through centre Sarah McKenna with Hannah Edwards converting.

It was all Wasps in the second half. Tries from impressive scrumhalf Barbara Chittock and Tina Lee made sure of the result for Wasps while off the bench Michaela Staniford showed all of her 7s pace to score two excellent tries with Davinia Monteiro also going over.

To see the team line-ups and scoring sequence seehere

Worcester 22 Darlington Mowden Park Sharks 20

On a dismal, wet and windy afternoon, classic running rugby was never really an option, despite the undoubted pace of the backs in both teams. Injuries forced the home side to be without several first choice players but their replacements gave no quarter and performed admirably.

The weather conditions were responsible for numerous handling errors throughout the game; consequently the only real pattern of play was forward dominated pick and go. Despite this the there were two memorable moments of exceptional skill from the backs. Firstly DMP and England Captain Katy McLean reading the Worcester defence brilliantly and taking full advantage to score unopposed from 30 meters, followed by Worcesters scrum half, Charlotte Keane, who took advantage of drifting defence to do likewise.

The game opened with two minutes of constant Sharks pressure, followed by a Worcester counter which resulted in a penalty under the posts after three minutes from which Worcester should have opened their account, but the home side were unable to take advantage.

Both teams played with passion, no prisoners were taken, however the majority of the action took place in mid field with both sets of forwards testing each others strengths while the backs stood shivering waiting for a pass. The home side appeared to gaining the edge in the battle and were subsequently rewarded with a typical forwards try from Laura Keates to open the scoring and despite the adverse conditions, Ceri Large took the extras.

A good opportunity to reduce the deficit was not taken when normally reliable boot of Katy Mclean failed with penalty kick but DMPs forwards pulled points back with a try from the games most effective player, Tamara Taylor.

Worcester responded with an excellent individual try from Charlotte Keane, exploiting a gap in the oppositions defence, but the 53 brave people watching( a record crowd?) were kept on their toes as DMP responded with a clever try from Katy McLean on the stoke of half time with the score at 12-10.

Floodlights were required to get the game underway in the second half and this brought a flourish from the DMP forwards whose efforts were rewarded by forcing a penalty, duly accepted by Katy McLean to give the visitors the lead.

This prompted the Worcester coaches to make a change with England prop Rochelle Clark introduced to the fray. Her presence had an immediate effect and Worcester drove forward with more aggression and purpose which eventually resulted in Rochelle Clark scoring from close range after intense goal line pressure.

Home but not dry, it seemed as if Worcester had recovered their composure and would go on to record an impressive victory, but never say die Sharks had different ideas and assisted by some naive kicking and defending from the home side, Sharks were back in the game with try against the run of play from Maireed Nee, duly converted by Katy Mclean.

With clock winding down, Worcester fought back doggedly and camped on the Sharks goal line with the visitors defence holding magnificently whilst the home backs were screaming for the ball. However, the forwards tactics were justified when Pippa Crews drove over the line on 80 minutes to the delight of the Worcester team and Coaches, but despondency of the opposition, who had fought a hard battle throughout and probably deserved better than a losing bonus point from this close encounter.

To see the team line-ups and scoring sequence seehere

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