Source: Rikki Teml

Hat tricks for Hunter and Reed in win over Lichfield

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Bristol Ladies made it two out of two in the Women’s Premiership when they beat Lichfield Ladies 13 – 37 on Sunday afternoon.

 Two hat tricks from Amber Reed and Sarah Hunter closed down the contest, which ended 8-10 at half time. After the opening 30 minutes the score line settled at 3-3, with Amber Reed slotting home the penalty for the visitors.

Reed then moved Bristol in front, showing off some creative footwork to run round the Lichfield defenders, scoring the first try of the game, and converting it herself. Just before half time Lichfield turned over the ball in the middle of the field and ran in a try of their own, but failed to convert.

The first half was a close 40 minutes, with Bristol showing good energy and slowly building up the pressure on Lichfield.

Half time score 8 – 10 (1 penalty, 1 try – 1 penalty, 1 try, 1 conversion)

The second half started with a yellow card to Lichfield for a high tackle and Bristol turned up the pressure. Sarah Hunter was on the receiving end of a great off load from Izzy Noel Smith, and dotted the ball down just left of the posts. Reed successfully converted and 5 minutes later, was back on the score card again – out running the Lichfield defence.

The forwards played a large part in the next try, working the ball from the 5 metre line, creating an overlap which Reed happily exploited, securing her hat trick.

A superbly executed line out set up a furious driving maul, with the forwards travelling at brilliant pace and Hunter, once again, carried the ball over the try line.

Lichfield got one back on 76 minutes, an intercept by their forward took the score the 13 – 32, however Bristol closed out the game with a repeat of the previous try – another driving maul, with Hunter there to secure the points.

Final score: Lichfield Ladies 13 – 36 Bristol Ladies

QUOTES

Forward of the game: Daisy Travers – Head Coach LJ Adams ‘Daisy has moved from the 2nd XV to the 1st XV this season and has really stepped up. She moved to prop on 20 minutes and really owned the role, and her ball carrying was fantastic all game’

Daisy ‘I really enjoyed being part of today’s win, coming from a fairly close first half we gained momentum and came together in the 2nd half. It really felt like everyone was playing for each other – there was such a good vibe through the whole team.’

Back of the game: Sydney Gregson – Head Coach, LJ Adams ‘Sydney had a great defensive game today – her tackles were strong and solid and she timed her runs to perfection’.

‘It was a great game today – we’re really proud of the girls. We closed Lichfield out once we had built the pressure in the first half. There is a really good feel amongst the girls, everyone is enjoying their rugby but also feel they can keep pushing for a better performance each week. We will use this week to be honest in our feedback from the game and tighten up in the areas we leaked points. Everyone is hugely excited to be back at home next week against Richmond.’ Head Coach, LJ Adams

Game Score Stats

12m – PEN Bristol – Amber Reed, 0 – 3

30m – PEN Lichfield – 3 – 3

33m – TRY Bristol – Amber Reed, 3 – 8

33m – CONV Bristol – Amber Reed, 3 – 10

35m – TRY Lichfield – 8 – 10

HALF TIME

55m – TRY Bristol – Sarah Hunter – 8 – 15

55m – CONV Bristol – Amber Reed – 8 – 17

60m – TRY Bristol – Amber Reed – 8 – 22

65m – TRY Bristol – Amber Reed – 8 – 27

70m – TRY Bristol – Sarah Hunter – 8 – 32

76m – TRY Lichfield – 13 – 32

78m – TRY Bristol – Sarah Hunter – 8 – 37

Team Sheet

 Bristol

  1. Caryl Thomas
  2. Clara Neilson
  3. Nate Newton
  4. Daisy Travers
  5. Amelia Buckland-Hurry
  6. Sue Neumann
  7. Izzy Noel Smith
  8. Sarah Hunter
  9. Sian Moore
  10. Amber Reed
  11. Courtney Bishop
  12. Claire Molloy
  13. Tilly Vaughan Fowler
  14. Jenny Fotheringham
  15. Sydney Gregson
  1. Becki Belcher (60m, Sue Neumann)
  2. Naomi Smith (20m, Kate Newton)

 

Bristol Ladies 2nd XV vs Henley Hawks

The second team also had their first away game of the season on Sunday, which ended in a 58 – 7 defeat against Henley Hawks.

The girls were at a disadvantage from the off, have only 13 girls able to start due to injury, and ending the game with 10 on the field. However, a phenomenal team effort saw the forwards power their way up the pitch with some excellent carries, getting the ball to Emma Nicholson who dotted the ball down under the post. This was the excellently converted by Captain Toya Chapman Mercer. Coach Seb Delport was happy with the performance ‘The girls were fantastic today, yes we lost, but every player on that pitch showed immense grit. Even when we went down to 10 players, the girls refused to quit and were a huge credit to the club and themselves’.

Next fixtures

Bristol Ladies 1st XV vs Richmond 1st XV (home – The Portway Development Centre) KO 2.45pm

Bristol Ladies 2nd XV vs Richmond 2nd XV (home – The Portway Development Centre) KO 2.15pm

Report courtesy of Bristol Ladies

Photo by Rikki Teml

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