Sarah Hunter receiving the Shield from Heidi Chapman Mercer
Bristol Ladies ended the season on a high, winning the Premiership Shield and securing a 5th place finish in the 15/16 Women’s Premiership.
Playing at Cobham RFC, Bristol Ladies ran out against DMP Sharks in the final game of the season yesterday. Conditions were difficult for both teams but Bristol controlled the game well from the start, and built on this momentum in the second half.
It took 30 minutes for the only points of the first half to be scored, as Bristol secured a penalty 5m out. A quick reaction from Sian Moore got the ball out to Clara Nielson who fell just short of the line – Bryony Cleall picked it up from the back of the ruck and went over, taking the score to 5 – 0.
A first half of solid scrummaging from Bristol created a platform allowing control of the game, this paired with strong ball carrying kept the pressure on Sharks and kept the game alive.
Half time – Bristol Ladies 5 (1 try) – 0 DMP Sharks
15 minutes into the second half saw Sharks jump early at the line out. More lightening quick reactions from Moore got the ball out to midfield, where Nielson successfully carried the ball under the posts. Cleall converted taking the score to 12 – 0.
DMP Sharks came back fighting and Bristol found themselves defending hard on their own line. Bristol conceded a penalty and Chantelle Miell saw a yellow card for not rolling away. Seizing the opportunity, DMP moved the ball out quickly and scored just wide of the posts. Conversion successful. – the score moved to 12 – 7.
65 minutes saw Bristol back in the driving seat, as the ball passed through a number of hands, reaching Daisy Travers who scored her fourth try of the season. Katie Mason kicked the conversion – taking the score to 19 – 7.
Bristol finished off the game in style with another try coming from a well worked forward attack. Captain Sarah Hunter dotted the ball over the line as she picked her way around the edge of the breakdown 24 – 7.
The final whistle blew, with Bristol taking the win. The medals and shield were presented after the game – with Bristol’s Sarah Hunter accepting the Shield from Heidi Chapman Mercer, Vice Chairwoman of the Women’s Premiership Group.
FINAL SCORE – Bristol Ladies 24 (four tries, 2 conv) – 7 (1 try, 1 conv) DMP Sharks
Bristol Forward of the game: Clara Nielson
Back of the game: Jenny ‘Chip’ Fotheringham
Voted for by the players
LJ Adams – Head Coach said after the game: “We’re extremely happy with today’s performance and the result. The weather made it tricky making our attacking play challenging to execute, however our patience and control allowed us to close out the game in the second half. Congratulations to DMP Sharks who played a great game of rugby and a huge thank you to all of our supporters who came down to watch .”
Game Score Stats
30m – TRY Bristol – Bryony Cleall, 5 – 0
HALF TIME
55m – TRY Bristol – Clara Nielson, 10 – 0
56m – CONV Bristol – Bryony Cleall, 12 – 0
60m – YELLOW Bristol – Chantelle Miell
60m – TRY DMP Sharks – 12 – 5
61m – CONV DMP Sharks – 12 – 7
65m – TRY Bristol Daisy Travers – 17 -5
66m – CONV Bristol Katie Mason – 19 – 5
72m – TRY Bristol Sarah Hunter – 24 – 5
Bristol Team:
1: Kathryn Buggy
2: Clara Nielsen
3: Abbie Parsons
4: Amelia Buckland Hurry
5: Daisy Travers
6: Kate Newton
7: Poppy Leitch
8: Sarah Hunter
9: Sian Moore
10: Chantelle Miell
11: Jenny Fotheringham
12: Bryony Cleall
13: Jade Shekells
14: Sydney Gregson
15: Katie Mason
16: Kayleigh Armstrong (60m for Buggy)
17: Becki Belcher (70m for Parsons)
18: Trish Brown (70m for Nielson)
19: Natalie Lewis (58m for Newton)
20: Izzy Moore (60m for Cleall)
21: Sarah Bern (60m for Travers)
22: Alice Rooke (60m for Fotheringham)
Next fixtures
17th February – CUP FIXTURE vs Loughborough – further details to be sent
Match report courtesy of Emma Bacon, Media Manager, Bristol Ladies RFC
