Sam Jamieson (Photo: DMP Sharks)
DMP Sharks welcomed the Premiership Champions Richmond to the Northern Echo Arena for their first cup game of the season.
Richmond got the game underway Sharks secured the ball but great work by Richmond’s defence kept sharks pinned in their own half. A penalty awarded to Sharks relieved the pressure as Sharks cleared the ball out to Richmond’s 22 metre line, Richmond disrupted the resulting line out but knocked on giving Sharks the scrum.
The first scrum of the day was won against the head by Richmond as they demonstrated their powerful scrum and they cleared the ball up the field.
Richmond continued to build the pressure only to be thwarted by Sharks hard working defence, Richmond were awarded a lineout on Sharks 5 metre line but the lineout was scrappy Richmond’s Davinia Monteiro was the quickest to react as she gathered the loose ball and powered towards the line to be brought down just short of Sharks try line, quick ball out to Ellisha Dee saw her over the line for the first try of the day not converted leaving the score DMP Sharks 0 Richmond 5.
Sharks restarted the game with renewed vigour as they got their passing game together and put Richmond under pressure, the pressure told when a knock on by Richmond resulted in a penalty for Sharks, Captain Georgia Roberts elected to go for the corner, again the resulting lineout was scrappy which resulted in a Richmond knock on giving a scrum to Sharks on Richmond’s 5 metre line, under great pressure from the Richmond scrum Sharks were adjudged to have knocked on giving the scrum to Richmond, Richmond’s scrum was rock steady giving them the platform to clear the ball up field.
The ball was gathered by Sharks Emma Warrington, who was strong under the high ball all day, she raced forward beating one player then offloading to Mackenzie Thomas who gave a quick pass out to Kat Hobson who came onto the ball with pace, turning Richmond’s defence, a quick ball out to Captain Georgina Roberts was knocked backwards but collected by the ever eager Rachael Woosey who turned on the afterburners to round the Richmond defence and score under the post, converted by Sam Jamieson, leaving the score DMP Sharks 7 Richmond 5.
Richmond got the game underway and an unfortunate knock on by Sharks led to a scrum on Their 22 metre line, Sharks pack worked hard against a well drilled and strong Richmond pack to win the ball against the head
Sharks, Jo Brown, who had been excellent at the back of the pack all day, made great ground from the base of the scrum, the ball was laid back to Amy Needham who with great power burst through the Richmond defence, quick ball out saw the move breakdown. Fortunately the referee brought the game back for a Richmond infringement at the scrum, Sharks missed touch and Richmond ran the ball back with great pace only to give a penalty for holding on after more great work again by Jo Brown at the breakdown.
Richmond continued to use their forwards to great effect punching holes in the Sharks defence , quick ball and great hands from the Richmond backs saw them go over in the left hand corner not converted leaving the score DMP Sharks 7 Richmond 10.
Sharks continued to test Richmond’s defence. Great work by Emily Hunter, who had been a force all day, earned Sharks a penalty. A quick tap from scrum half Emma Lloyd Edwards to Sarah Bush saw her drive at the heart of Richmond’s defence. Quick ball out again to Sharks Zoe Aldcroft and then to Fly Half Scholes saw a well-timed pass out to Rachael Woosey who turned on the after burners, she handed off the covering tackle, to score her second of the day converted by the ever reliable Sam Jamieson, to leave the score DMP Sharks 14 Richmond 10.
Champions Richmond responded as they upped the intensity stringing phases together the pressure told when they crossed over the line on the left hand side not converted leaving the score DMP Sharks 14 Richmond 15 as the half ended.
Sharks got the second half underway with a great kick off which saw them secure the ball and so began a frenetic period of the game as both sides tried to gain the upper hand.
Richmond were the first team to get their reward as their powerful forwards worked the ball over the line only to be held up by excellent defence by Mackenzie Thomas.
Champions Richmond were not to be denied and moments later great hands saw them work the ball out to the left hand side to score (not converted) leaving the score DMP Sharks 14 Richmond 20.
Sharks got the game underway and upped the pressure on Richmond which resulted in a succession of penalties, Captain Georgia Roberts elected to kick and upped stepped Sam Jamieson. Unfortunately the kick was narrowly missed.
Sharks continued to build the pressure, and a great kick by Fly Half Rebecca Scholes saw a lineout on Richmond’s 5 metre line, the lineout was secured but fantastic defence by Richmond turned the ball over quick ball and quick feet saw Richmond race down the pitch to score on the left hand side not converted leaving the score DMP Sharks 14 Richmond 25.
Richmond had their tails up and scored again quickly not converted leaving the score DMP Sharks 14 Richmond 30.
Richmond continued to pile on the pressure and forward Ellisha Dee powered towards the line to be held up by some strong work by Sharks defence, the ball was picked up quickly and dotted over the line to leave the score DMP Sharks 14 Richmond 35.
Sharks were under the cosh as Richmond attacked again. A fantastic interception by Sharks captain Georgia Roberts, just outside Sharks 22, secured the ball and quick service from replacement scrum half Ellie Pitcher, to her half back partner Scholes, saw another well timed pass putting Rachael Woosey in space allowing her to outpace the Richmond defence again and score her third try under the post, converted by Sam Jamieson, leaving the final score DMP Sharks 21 Richmond 35.
DMP Sharks Back of the match Rachael Woosey
DMP Sharks Forward of the match Ruth Nash
Next up for Sharks is a away fixture against Firwood Waterloo on 21 February.
Report courtesy of DMP Sharks
