With the Ladies Premiership now concluded and Worcester achieving their target of finishing fourth, attention has now turned to the Six Nations, the Senior Cup Competition and of course, Worcester Ladies 2nd team who play in National Championship Midlands 2.
On the international front, Worcester have been honoured to have the following players getting game time:
For England, Rocky Clark, Ceri Large, Bianca Blackburn, Courtney Gill and Lydia Thompson, whilst Lark Davies and Rachel Lund await their call, being members of the squad. At Under 20 level, Kelly Smith made a great impact with a try against the armed forces last week. Regretably,Laura Keates would have been a certain starter, but is still recovering from her injury sustained on international duty.
Sian Williams, now a professional athlete with the RAF is our Welsh representative, with Rhiannon Parker waiting patiently in the wings, whilst Tracy Balmer represents Scotland, with Lyndsay O’Donnell patiently waiting for a recall.
Scottish International Steph Johnston is a member of the GB 7’s squad and club captain Lisa Campbell represented New Zealand in the Rugby League World Cup.
To have 15 current international players at the club is a credit to the excellent work of our coaching team but it does present interesting problems in the Premiership and going forward into the Senior Cup, which takes place during the Six Nations. However, it also provides an excelllent oportunity to the second team players to experience the game at the higher level.
Worcester Ladies 2nd v Moseley, National League Midland 2, Sunday February 14th.
Worcester 87 Moseley 5
Worcester leapfrogged Bridgnorth and Moseley to move into 3rd place in the league with a most impressive performance at Westons, taking the game by 87 points to 5. Having lost the away encounter by 29 points without returning a score, Moseley were clearly very surprised by the onslaught that started as early as the fith minute in this game, and it was maintained to the final whistle. However, having secured a draw with Bridgnorth and a victory over Gloucester in the previous two games, Worcester’s expectations were high.
Moseley had no answer to the power, pace and skill of the home side in which Paula Robinson created havoc with her carries and power play and Josie Symonds, with five conversions a try and penetrative running from full back were t he games outstanding players. The margin of Worcesters dominance was clear, but the spread of scoring across the team was also impressive, with 11 of the starting 15 recorded on the score sheet.
The majority of the game was played in the opposition’s half, but on one rare visit to the home 22, Moseley were rewarded with a consolation try from Melissa McCalla, greeted with celebrations akin to winning the league.
For Worcester the following players scored: Sarah Davey, Samantha Parker,Jasmine Bixley, Aimee Lensson and Rhiannon Donnahey (2 tries each) Alex Butterwork, Paula Robinson Chelsey Snead, Josie Symonds and Elizabeth Binaks (one try each) with Josie Symonds making 5 conversions and Jaxmine Bixley 2)
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Worcester disappointed to lose in the last play of the game at Premier Champions Richmond.
Richmond 29 Worcester 24.
The Champions were made to fight hard for their victory, only securing a win with a try on the last play of the game.
Given Richmond’s form this season, and their comprehensive victory over Worcester four weeks ago in the Premiership play off semi-final, not many people in the Women’s game would have given the visitors any hope of a result.
A determined Worcester team took the game to the champions from the kick off, dominating the exchanges and showing great skill and pace out wide, but there were also early warning signs that the pack, considerably lighter and less experienced than Richmond, were going to struggle.
Worcester stunned the partisan crowd by opening the scoring on 11 minutes, Benedicte Williams spotted the absence of the full back, kicked cleverly into space, Samantha Bree raced forward, collected calmly and scored under the posts. Bree also took the extras.
More surprises followed, but Richmond’s dominance in the scrum was giving them a significant advantage when handling errors occurred, winning the majority of the encounters and giving Rhi Parker, who played extremely well at scrum half, some interesting problems to overcome. The technique of hooker Paula Robinson could not be faulted, neither could her barnstorming outfield display throughout the game, but the sheer power of the Richmond pack enabled them to gain the advantage time and time again.
With the ball in hand, Worcester looked imperious and increased their lead, passing ball moved right though the line for full back Kelly Smith to outpace three defenders and take Worcester into a 12-point lead on 20 minutes, silencing the home crowd.
At this point, Richmond started to use their forward advantage, denying the Worcester backs possession and playing through the centre. Their power and dominance in the scrum was rewarded with a penalty try and the visitors appeared to fold under the pressure, conceding a further three tries and two conversions to reverse the advantage and provide the home side with a 24-12 lead at half time.
Worcester returned to the field with purpose, again taking the game to the visitors, causing problems going forward and playing the vast majority of the half in the oppositions 22. However, when handling errors occurred, the scrummage was still found wanting and advantage was frequently surrendered.
No one at the Athletic Ground could have been surprised when Chelsey Snead completed an intense period of attack by finishing strongly to bring Worcester back into the game at 24-17 on 60 minutes and now very much in the ascendency, Samantha Bree ripped a ball, evaded two tackles and ran in her second try on 70 minutes, which she also converted to bring the game level at 24 -24.
With time elapsed, but Richmond in possession, the home side launched a last gasp ferocious attack. Worcester’s defence conceded a series of penalties which eventually enabled Richmond to pick up from a driving scrummage and score in the corner, a cruel outcome and probably an unjust reward for the visitor’s efforts.
Despite this defeat, Worcester can take heart from the all-round performance, and were applauded off the pitch by the home supporters. The players gave their all and it was most encouraging to see Paula Robinson and Chelsey Snead step up from the second team and cause such havoc against quality opposition. Samantha Bree, recently returned from long term injury, was devastating in her unfamiliar role in the centre and the golden moment in the game saw winger Sammy Parker leap to prevent a penalty line out, somersault, gather the ball and off load, amazing skill.
Worcester would like to thank the supporters who made the journey to London and provided encouragement throughout the game. Greatly appreciated.
Worcester also thank their sponsors and supporters VetsNow, NMU, Foil Specialist, Gardiner Fosh, Worcestershire County Council, Knowle Sports, Aline, AJB Photographic for their continued support.
The photo above shows Chelsey Snead on her way to her first score for Worcester.
Worcester entertain Waterloo at Westons next Sunday, February 28th, kick off 2.00pm.
Report by David Guest 1st XV Manager.
