Source: Lichfield Ladies

Lichfield win at Bristol

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In round 8 of the Women’s Premiership games, Lichfield travelled to Bristol and put on another stylish display, continuing their excellent recent form, to deliver a nine try comprehensive bonus point win Bristol 5-56 Lichfield.

Bristol scored first after five minutes when they took their first scoring opportunity to touch down in the corner, but that was to be their only score of the day, with Lichfield showing excellent form in both defence and attack.

Lichfield levelled the score after 10 minutes when the outstanding Harriet Mills scored in the corner and Sarah Nicholas slotted a great touchline conversion to take the lead.  As Lichfield increased the momentum, the penalty count increased and Sarah Nicholas landed a penalty kick after 23 minutes to give them a 10-5 lead.  Two unconverted tries from Carys Williams and Sarah Nicholas after 24 and 36 minutes meant that Lichfield reached half time with a 20-5 lead.

In the second half, Lichfield continued to pressurise Bristol and their relentless attacking rugby, eventually told as the Bristol defence began to tire. Lichfield managed to run in six second half tries from Jasmine Coyne (2), Katie Trevarthen, Holly Aitchisin, Justine Lucas and Amy Cokayne, with Sarah Nicholas adding three conversions to give them the 56-5 win.

Commenting on the match, Lichfield’s Head Coach Rich Bennett said “I was really pleased with our performance again today, we continued our recent improved form and we I thought we thoroughly deserved the victory.

Our forwards, in particular, were one of the key factors in our win. We dominated Bristol in the forward battle and that provided us with a solid platform from which  to play on the front foot for the full 80 minutes.

I was also really pleased with all of our replacements today, they added energy and momentum to our game at critical times enabling us to keep the scoreboard moving. We are still improving and we have plenty of work still to do, but this win will only serve to increase our confidence of our squad for the remainder of the season”

Bristol Forwards Coach, Royston Davies said: ‘It was another tough day in the office. We’d hope to get back on track after the disappointment of last week’s result against Saracens, but today we just couldn’t work our way into the game. Lichfield were on point and played really well – unfortunately our accuracy and basic play weren’t good enough. We never built a platform to enable us to build, and whilst we looked dangerous, made some great breaks and worked hard defensively, it wasn’t enough today. Saying that – the girls never gave up, that Bristol spirit is still there. We need to tweak a few things here and there, but I’m confident we’ll bounce back.’

Lichfield Scorers

Tries:- Harriet Mills (10 mins), Carys Williams (24 mins), Sarah Nicholas (36 mins), Jasmine Coyne (47 & 77 mins), Katie Trevarthen (52 mins), Holly Aitchisin (58 mins), Justine Lucas (75 mins), Amy Cokayne (80 mins)

Conversions :-  Sarah Nicholas x4

Penalty :- Sarah Nicholas (23 mins)

Players of the match for Lichfield were – Sarah Nicholas and Harriet Mills

Game Score Stats

2m – TRY Bristol – Beth Dainton, 0 – 5

8m – TRY Lichfield – Millar Mills, 5 – 5

8m – CONV Lichfield –Nicholas, 5 – 7

18m – PEN Lichfield – Nicholas, 5 – 10

20m – TRY Lichfield – Williams, 5 – 15

34m – TRY Lichfield – Nicholas, 5 – 20

HALF TIME

46m – TRY – Lichfield – Coyne, 5 – 25

47m – CONV – Lichfield – Nicholas, 5 – 27

50m – TRY – Lichfield – Trevarthen, 5 – 32

58m – TRY – Lichfield – Aitcheson, 5 – 37

59m – CONV – Lichfield – Nicholas, 5 – 39

73m – TRY – Lichfield – Lucas, 5 – 44

74m – CONV – Lichfield – Nicholas, 5 – 46

77m – TRY – Lichfield – Coyne, 5 – 51

80m – TRY Lichfield – Cokayne, 5 – 56

 

Report courtesy of Lichfield Ladies