Source: Rikki Teml

Senior Cup Matches – Bristol v Waterloo and Lichfield v Worcester

  • +1

Bristol Ladies played Waterloo Ladies on Sunday 8 March in the final game of the pool stages of the Senior Cup.

Bristol started the game well, with lots of possession and attacking drive. Debs Fleming was a constant threat, making several fast paced runs down the wing only to be stopped just short of the line but Waterloo were the first to score, with Dani Waterman getting her first of the afternoon, converted by Stott. Fleming broke through shortly after, putting one in the corner for Bristol taking the score to 5 – 7.

Waterloo bounced back, as a loose ball from the scrum gave Rebekah Wilson the chance to dart through the Bristol defence and run the length of the pitch to touch down under the posts. Bristol answered that score with one of their own, as Sian Moore hit back quickly to put Bristol back in contention with Stacey Jones slotting the conversion comfortably.

Waterloo’s Dani Wiseman got her second of the afternoon by skipping through a few Bristol tackles which took the half time score to 12 – 19.

The second half was end to end play, but Waterloo got the first try of the 2nd half through Wilson. Courtney Bishop came on for Stacey Jones mid-way through the half and had an immediate impact, scoring firstly from a stolen line out and then again after a storming run down the wing.

Charlotte Pearce also scored for Waterloo, taking the final score to 22 -33.

Bristol forward of the game: Amelia Buckland Hurry – for her dominance in the line out and solid tackles said:
‘I feel we made a massive step up from last week, we played straight from the kick off and the desire to win today was really strong. We stole three line outs which is great and shows that hard work pays off, as I’ve been working on my jumping with coaches. The support from the coaching team and crowd really helped today as well’.

Bristol back of the game: Debs Fleming – for her dynamic running lines and strength in the tackle said: ‘I really enjoyed the game today, we came out well and played a lot of decent rugby. I was pleased with the freedom that I had and was able to come off the wing and run some exciting lines. I also managed to link up well with Amelia too and it paid off with the try.’

Bristol’s Assistant Coach Pete Reakes commented after the game:‘Whilst it feels like another frustrating game of rugby, this is a really young team and a squad with a lot of potential. When we played at tempo it was brilliant, with phases of exciting, fast ball and great breaks from the wingers. We need to play at this tempo for the full 80 and then we’ll see the results a squad with this much potential deserves. It’s been a tough cup competition for us this season, but with so much young, raw talent, next year promises to be an exciting one’.

Bristol Team:
1. Samantha Herrick
2. May Campbell
3. Abbie Parsons
4. Amelia Buckland Hurry
5. Daisy Travers
6. Sadie Giles
7. Sue Neumann
8. Izzy Noel Smith
9. Sian Moore
10. Phillipa Tuttiett
11. Deborah Fleming
12. Polly Pearce
13. Rosie Kells
14. Jenny Fotheringham
15. Stacey Jones
16. Becki Belcher
17. Courtney Bishop

Lichfield Ladies 68 – Worcester 0

In the last round of pool matches in the Women’s Senior Cup, Lichfield hosted local rivals Worcester and put in a superb performance to win convincingly. Both teams had players away on international duty and much changed line ups, but it was Lichfield who dominated the match, scoring twelve unanswered tries.

Captain and fly half Tash Jones crowned a superb player of the match performance with a hat trick of tries.
From the kick off Lichfield put Worcester under immediate pressure and were first to score when after 3 minutes full back Sarah Nicholas picked up a loose ball 25 metres out and scythed through the Worcester defence to score in the corner. The first half was dominated by Lichfield forwards in both the scrum and lineout with Georgia Bradley, Catt Pugh and Becky Noon causing continuous problems for Worcester.

The forward domination created plenty of Lichfield scoring opportunities with Lucy Nye (twice), Becky Noon, Tash Jones all scoring tries in the first half. Millie Wood added a superb solo effort running from her own half, bursting through tackles to score in the corner and give Lichfield a 36-0 half time lead.

In the second half, as Worcester tired, Lichfield began to run the ball more with centres Millie Wood and Chrissy Siczowa causing most of the damage. Lichfield were able to add six further second half tries through Carys Williams (twice), Beth Turner, Sarah Nicholas and two more from Tash Jones to finish deserved winners.

Commenting on the victory, Lichfield’s Coach Bali Salisbury said “We are obviously delighted with our excellent performance and deserved win today, our young team did themselves and the club proud. Our forwards were superb throughout and set a great platform which created plenty of attacking opportunities, both of our centres played outstanding games to make life very difficult for Worcester.”

“Captain Tash Jones controlled everything at fly half and we were solid in defence and clinical in converting our domination into points. But despite the heavy scoreline, we must give credit to Worcester who never stopped working and didn’t make it easy for us throughout the game.”

Lichfield Scorers:

Tries – Tash Jones (22, 72 and 77 mins), Sarah Nicholas (3, 74 mins), Lucy Nye (7, 37 mins), Becky Noon (19 mins), Millie Wood (33 mins), Carys Williams (42, 63 mins), Beth Turner (55 mins)
Conversions – Sarah Nicholas (x4)