Saracens 30 -0 Wasps
Saracens stormed to a bonus point win against Wasps at Allianz Park to clinch the Premiership title on the final day of the season.
The visitors started strongly, denying Saracens possession in the early exchanges, however it was the home side who got the first points on the board against the run of play as second row Poppy Cleall powered over the line from close range. Saracens captain, Maggie Alphonsi, in probably her last game before hanging up her boots in order to pursue her Olympic dream, was in blistering form, putting in her trademark big hits and strong carries and was rewarded for her efforts as she shrugged off the Wasps defence to break the line and score.
The home side added a third try before half time through the impressive number 8, Sonia Green. The Wasps scrum put under pressure on their line by a dominant Saracens pack allowing Green to drive over.
Wasps enjoyed a spell of possession after the break with back row, Marlie Packer in fine form making vital yards but the home sides defence held firm. Saracens were hunting for tries for the bonus point so were keen to throw the ball about and their confidence paid off as a neatly timed pass from fullback Sarah McKenna put young French winger, Seraphine Okemba in space and was through for the score.
In the final quarter Saracens emptied their bench and the replacements added to the try tally. Replacement hooker and Saracens veteran, Amy Garnett muscled over for the fifth try to secure the bonus point. Substitute winger Zira Handley had the final say of the afternoon as she darted over in the corner to take the score to 30 points to nil. The victory seals a fine season for Saracens, winning 12 out of 14 games and securing the Premiership for the first time since 2009.
Bristol Ladies 1st XV 19 – 22 Richmond Ladies 1st XV
Bristol Ladies 1st XV finished off the 14/15 premiership season with a highly competitive encounter against Richmond Ladies 1st XV. With Richmond in a battle for the premiership title with Saracens, and Bristol looking for a win to end the season 3rd in the league there was everything to play for.
Things didn’t start as planned for the home side, as Richmond Number 8, Rebecca Essex scored 2 minutes in. Bristol’s Izzy Noel Smith leveled the score 10 minutes later, with Amber Reed securing the conversion to take the score to 7 – 7. Richmond added another before half time as the teams went in at 7 – 12 at the break.
Richmond came storming out of the blocks after half time, scoring quickly after kick off, only for Bristol’s Katie Mason to touch down 5 minutes later keeping Bristol in touching distance at 12 – 17.
Noel Smith was sent to the sin bin on 70 minutes, and Richmond took the opportunity to stretch ahead with another try, leaving the score at 12 – 22. The girls pushed on hard, trying to find a way through the Richmond defense, and Amy Wilson Hardy finally broke through to score, leaving Amber Reed to slot the conversion with the last play of the game. The final score ended Bristol Ladies 19 – 22 Richmond Ladies, with the home team leaving themselves just too much to do in the last quarter of the game.
DMP Sharks 27 – 5 Aylesford Bulls
A change of venue for this match due to adverse weather conditions saw DMP welcome the Aylesford ladies to the 3G pitch at Harton Technology College at South Shields.
The first score came after just five minutes as Fi Davidson showed great vision to and fantastic pace to run round the Aylesford defence to score in the right hand corner: 5 – 0.
On 35 minutes Aylesford’s earned a penalty in the middle of the pitch 5 metres from DMPs try line, a quick tap and drive gained precious metres the ball was picked from the back of the ruck and driven over under the posts: 5 – 5.
At the start of second half to find the conditions had worsened considerably with rain turning to snow and biting winds. DMP began to take control of the game the ball being shifted quickly through the backs they found Katy McLean in space, and she niftily rounded the opposition to score under the posts, try converted bringing the score to 12 – 5.
With their tails up DMP continued to press Aylesford stretching them across the pitch creating holes, the pressure eventually told as Aylesford conceded a penalty on the half way line, despite the strong winds a confident Katy McLean indicated to Captain George Roberts she would convert, and she did, 15 – 5.
As Aylesford continued to struggle to get out of their own half, a loose kick by was gathered by Mackenzie Thomas who raced up the pitch, quick hands through the backs saw the ball safely into the hands of Jen Lloyd Edwards who turned on the afterburners to score in the left hand corner 20 – 5 with 10 minutes of the match to go.
DMP continued to press forward and in a carbon copy of the last try a loose kick was gathered a quick pass out to captain George Roberts saw her through over the try line wide out to the left, a difficult conversion was made by Katy McLean for a final score of DMP 27 Aylesford 5.
Lichfield 22 – 39 Worcester
In the 14th and final round of the RFU Women’s Premiership games Lichfield Ladies welcomed Worcester Ladies to Cooke Fields. Worcester put in a good performance to take the win and with it claim 3rd place in the Premiership for the season, with Lichfield finishing in 5th.
Worcester started strongly and opened the scoring after 4 minutes when full back Steph Johnson scored in the corner. Lichfield’s opening score came after 9 minutes through a Sarah Nicholas penalty. But it was Worcester who continued their good form and scored a second try after 14 minutes in the same corner through Kelly Smith to lead 10 – 3. Once they began to control possession, Lichfield were able to level the score through a Mo Hunt try and Sarah Nicholas conversion, but it was Worcester who finished ahead 15 – 10 at half time after a second try from Kelly Smith.
In the second half, Worcester showed their class, particularly through the backs, with tries from Ceri Large, Lisa Campbell, Bianca Blackburn and Laura Keates, two of which were converted.
Two tries from Lichfield, one from the unstoppable Amy Cokayne and a late score from Nancy Stone with one conversion from Sarah Nicholas, meant that Worcester ran out worthy winners.
Final League Standings:
Saracens – 59 points
Richmond – 57 points
Worcester – 37 points
Bristol – 34 points
Lichfield – 32 points
Wasps – 28 points
DMP Sharks – 24 points
Aylesford – 6 points
