Bristol and Richmond both went into this match unbeaten and it was Bristol Ladies who fell to their first defeat of the season at the hands of a strong Richmond side who made it three out of three.
Bristol were leading 14 – 5 at half time, but a strong fight back from the current Premiership leaders saw Bristol’s lead overturned as Richmond upped the tempo with three tries in the second half.
Sarah Hunter taking a clean catch at the line out. (Photo by Keith Fussell)
The home side started well, with Katie Mason scoring the first try of the game on 3 minutes courtesy of a fantastic offload by Sydney Gregson – Amber Reed converted. Richmond hit back after a spell of pressure on the Bristol defence with Emma Croker getting the score for Richmond.
Mason got her second of the afternoon just before the half time whistle, with Reed able to convert successfully.
Half time score 14 – 5 (2 tries, 2 conv – 1 try)
Richmond came into the second half strongly, stepping up the tempo and the pressure. The Bristol defence was tested throughout the half, with Richmond on the attack from the off.
The first Richmond try of the half came through Holly Myers, through some quick thinking from the forwards. Richmond capitalised on this, with a similar try coming about 6 minutes later through Vic Cornborough and again on the 75th minutes the, as Emma Croker crossed for her second of the afternoon. Abi Chamberlain converted all three.
Final score: Bristol Ladies 14 – 26 Bristol Ladies
Forward of the game: Sarah Hunter (voted for by the players)
Back of the game: Amber Reed (voted for by players)
Bristol Head Coach, LJ Adams: ‘Everyone really stepped up in defence today. We prevented Richmond running away with the game and can’t wait to play them on the away fixture! We won’t be dwelling on today’s result but learning how to improve this week at training ready for a winning performance next weekend.’
Game Score Stats
3m – TRY Bristol – Katie Mason, 5 – 0
3m – CONV Bristol – Amber Reed – 7 – 0
24m – TRY Richmond – Emma Croker – 7 – 5
43m – TRY Bristol – Katie Mason, 12 – 5
33m – CONV Bristol – Amber Reed, 14 – 5
HALF TIME
49m – TRY Richmond – Holly Myers – 14 – 10
49m – CONV Richmond– Abi Chamberlain – 14 – 12
55m – TRY Richmond – Vic Cornborough – 14 – 17
55m – CONV Richmond – Abi Chamberlain – 14 – 19
75m – TRY Richmond – Sarah Hunter – 14 – 24
75m – CONV Richmond – 14 – 26
Team Sheet
Bristol
1. Caryl Thomas 2. Clara Neilson 3. Abbie Parsons 4. Amelia Buckland-Hurry 5. Kate Newton 6. Sue Neumann 7. Claire Molloy 8. Sarah Hunter 9. Sian Moore 10. Amber Reed 11. Courtney Bishop 12. Sydney Gregson 13. Tilly Vaughan Fowler 14. Chantelle Miell 15. Katie Mason
16. Kayleigh Armstrong (for Molloy) 17 Becki Belcher (for Neumann) 18 Jenny Fotheringham (46 minutes, for Mason)
Richmond
1. Vik Cornborough 2. Emma Croker 3. Ellisha Dee 4. Rowena Burnfield 5. Sara Anastasi 6. Rebecca Rowe 7. Anna Caplice 8. Sam McCarthy 9. Jade Wong 10. Abi Chamberlin 11. Holly Myers 12. Jackie Shiels (c) 13. Alicia McComish 14. Kiri Lose 15. Oli Davies
16. Chloe Edwards 17. Zoe Saynor 18. Fi Fletcher 19. Laura Kapo
Bristol Ladies 2nd XV vs Richmond 2nd XV
The second team fell to heavy defeat at the hands of Richmond 2nd XV, with the final score resting a 0 – 81.
Richmond were a well organised and well-oiled machine who looked in control from the off. The Bristol girls remained positive throughout and played through to the final whistle however were no match for the Richmond team.
Next fixtures
Bristol Ladies 1st XV vs Aylesford Ladies (away – Jack Williams Memorial Ground, Hall Road, Aylesford, ME207DS)
Bristol Ladies 2nd XV vs Thurrock Ladies (away – TRFC, Long Lane, Grays, Essex, RM162QH)
