In the 14th and final round of league games in the Women’s Premiership, Lichfield entertained DMP Sharks and secured a five try bonus point win to confirm 3rd place in the league and a place in the end of season play-offs – equalling their best ever finishing position in the table.
Photo: Lichfield Ladies
Both teams started strongly, with DMP Sharks particularly impressive in defence. Both sides managed to repel the early attacks, until DMP Sharks deservedly took the lead after 16 minutes with a converted try from right wing Rachael Woosey. This only served to settle Lichfield’s nerves and they immediately began to play with more composure and test the DMP Sharks defence to the limit.
Holly Aitchison made the first breakthrough for Lichfield after 28 minutes, beating two covering defenders to touch down under the posts, Sarah Nicholas converted to bring Lichfield level at 7-7. Sharks managed to keep Lichfield out until the 40th minute, when the irrepressible Harriet Millar Mills scored her first try to give Lichfield a 12-7 half time lead.
The second half proved to be a completely different story, Lichfield, playing with the wind took complete control in the forward battle and in a virtuoso performance of power and precision, Harriet Millar Mills added three tries after 44, 62 and 72 minutes to give Lichfield the win. Two of the tries came from pushover scrums as Lichfield’s front row of Katie Trevarthen, Amy Cokayne and Karyn Robertson completely dominated and drove the Sharks backwards, allowing Millar Mills to control the ball at No.8 and touch down. Sarah Nicholas converted all three second half tries to bring the final score to 33-7.
Commenting on the match, Lichfield’s Coach Ian Cokayne said “As I said in the programme notes, we expected a tough battle with the Sharks and that is exactly what we got. I thought DMP were excellent in the first half and we initially found it difficult to get into our game.
“But once we settled, we again showed what an impressive side we have become. We played patient, composed rugby in tricky conditions and created some really good scoring chances. Today it was our forwards who really delivered with almost complete domination of both the scrum and the lineout, ensuring we had both possession and territory to work with. If it wasn’t for excellent Sharks defence we would have scored many more tries today.
“Third place in the league is thoroughly deserved; we have a great bunch of young athletes in the squad who show outstanding commitment and desire and who work really hard at training and in our games. We have a great mix of youth and experience, who are now playing with real confidence giving us huge optimism.
We have got better as the season has progressed and we can’t wait to start again in the New Year”
Lichfield Scorers:
Tries:- Holly Aitchison (28 mins), Harriet Millar Mills (40, 44, 62 and 72 mins)
Conversions:- Sarah Nicholas x4
Final Score: Lichfield Ladies 33 Darlington Mowden Park Sharks 7
Match report courtesy of Lichfield Ladies RFC
