Bristol Ladies returned to winning ways this afternoon with a clinical display against gritty Aylesford Bulls. Bristol ran in 7 tries during the 80 minutes to secure a bonus point win and closed out the game without letting Aylesford onto the scoreboard.
The first 15 minutes were an even affair, with both side settling into the game in sunny conditions and the Jack Williams Memorial Stadium. Jenny Fotheringham opened up the scoring for Bristol on 16 minutes, followed four minutes later by Olivia Jones. Jones, who was playing out of position on the wing for Bristol today, showed great turn of pace to outrun the Bulls defence for a great score.
Always looking for the ball, Jones got her second try two minutes later, before England U20 Sarah Bern got her first score in a Bristol Ladies shirt. Jones secured her hat-trick two minutes before half time, with Amber Reed successfully converting four of the five scores in the first half.
Half time score 0 – 33 (5 tries, 4 conversions)
Bristol carried on in the same vein in the second half, with Katie Mason showing off her exceptional footwork to touch down twice in the first 10 minutes of the half, with Reed converting the second to take the score to 0 – 45.
Aylesford stepped up their defence in the final 20 minutes, successfully halting the Bristol attack and limiting the away side from putting any further points on the board.
All in all, a physical battle throughout the game with Aylesford showing a lot of grit and determination, but Bristol were too strong and showed they are true contenders for this year’s Premiership title.
Final score: Aylesford Bulls 0 – 45 Bristol Ladies.
Forward of the game: Sarah Hunter
Back of the game: Olivia Jones
‘Today was a great win for us – we had quite a few players playing out of position and they all stepped up. Tara McGlade and Olivia Jones both started on the wing for us and showed good strength and quick thinking which got us some great turnover ball. Chantelle Miller also got her first run out for us from the bench and made her mark, as did Chantelle Miell playing at scrum half, who played with real tempo and pace’ Head Coach, LJ Adams
‘Aylesford were a plucky side – their defence in the last 20 minutes really tested us, it’s always a physical battle up front with this side and today was no exception. A special mention goes out to Sarah Bern and Poppy Leitch who had huge physical presence on the flank for us today, and to the subs – Kathryn, Sian, Kayleigh and Georgia who came on and brought a huge amount of energy with them.’ Forwards Coach, Royston Davies
Game Score Stats
16m – TRY Bristol – Jenny Fotheringham, 0 – 5
20m – TRY Bristol – Olivia Jones, 0 – 10
20m – CONV Bristol – Amber Reed, 0 – 12
22m – TRY Bristol – Olivia Jones, 0 – 17
22m – CONV Bristol – Amber Reed, 0 – 19
30m – TRY Bristol – Sarah Bern, 0 – 24
30m – CONV Bristol – Reed, 0 – 26
38m – TRY Bristol – Olivia Jones, 0 – 31
38m – CONV Bristol – Reed, 0 – 33
HALF TIME
42m – TRY Bristol – Katie Mason, 0 – 38
48m – TRY Bristol – Katie Mason, 0 – 43
48m – CONV Bristol – Reed, 0 – 45
Team Sheet
Bristol
- Daisy Travers
2. Clara Nielson
3. Abbie Parsons
4. Kate Newton
5. Amelia Buckland-Hurry
6. Sarah Bern
7. Poppy Leitch
8. Sarah Hunter
9. Chantelle Miell
10. Amber Reed
11. Tara McGlade
12. Sue Neumann
13. Katie Mason
14. Olivia Jones
15. Jenny Fotheringham
- Kathryn Buggy (for Newton, 40m)
17. Rebecca Belcher
18. Kayleigh Armstrong (for Parsons, 60m)
19. Sian Kersse (for Travers, 55m)
20. Chantelle Miller (for Fortheringham, 50m)
21. Georgia Bradley (for Buckland-Hurry, 65m)
Next fixtures
Sunday 11th October
Bristol Ladies 1st XV vs Wasps Ladies – (The Portway Rugby Development Centre) KO 2.45pm
Bristol Ladies 2nd XV vs Wasps Ladies 2nd XV – (The Portway Rugby Development Centre) KO 2.30pm
Free Entry
