Source: Rikki Teml

Snowsill hat-trick helps Bristol to victory over Lichfield

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Bristol Ladies secured their spot in the Senior Cup Plate Final this weekend as a Snowsill hat-trick helps Bristol to victory over Lichfield and a final score of Bristol Ladies 43 – 26 Lichfield Ladies.

Both teams came out onto the pitch eyeing a spot in the final on the 23rd April, and from the warm ups, both were full of passion and drive this afternoon.

Lichfield had an early opportunity to score after Bristol gave away a penalty following from a break made by Philippa Tuttiett. They stormed towards the try line – only for Becky Hughes to hold the ball up over the line. This is only Hughes second game back after injury, and she showed really defensive prowess today at 15.

After the spell of Lichfield pressure was dealt with, Bristol got the first score of the afternoon through Poppy Leitch, following a quick tap penalty after Lichfield were penalised for holding on. Snowsill converted the try.

Lichfield came back with intent, scoring through their 13, Hannah Smith who broke through the Bristol defence to touch down. The score was 7 – 5 after 20 minutes.

Kate Newton, playing at 8 today, made some strong carries in the following phases of play, and Bristol were awarded a penalty after Lichfield failed to release the ball, which Snowsill duly kicked. 10 – 5.

Lichfield got the next score through Abi Walker after a series of missed tackles form Bristol, which was successfully converted, leaving the score at 10 – 12.

El Snowsill was at the centre of most of the action today, putting pressure on Lichfield in every aspect of the game. Winning a penalty for Bristol, Sian Moore took a quick tap penalty and Snowsill was on the end of the offload to score under the posts. She converted again. The score moved to 17 – 12.

Unfortunately Bristol were unable to hold on until the break, with Lichfield’s pacey 11, Carys Hall, running around the Bristol defensive line to score.

Half time, and the score was 17 – 19 – leaving Bristol with some work to do in the second half.

Half time – Bristol 17 (2 tries, 2 conv, 1 pen) – 19 Lichfield Ladies (3 tries, 2 conv)

Some inspiring words were said at half time in the Bristol dressing room – as Claire Molloy came storming out of the blocks to score in the first minute of the second half, showing some great footwork and strength to outrun the Lichfield defence. 8 minutes later, she did the same, scoring a fantastic solo try running 80 metres of the pitch to dot the ball down. Snowsill converted one of the two – taking the score to 29 – 19.

But again, Lichfield came back, with their hooker, Roz Crowley, scoring from a quick tap and go penalty. However, two minutes later, Snowsill got her second of the afternoon, after another quick penalty initiated by Sian Moore. The score was 36 – 26.

Bristol ramped up the pressure from this point, with 13 minutes left after the last score. Philippa Tuttiett showed great skill and got close scoring, only for Lichfield to battle through some great phases of defence.

Finally, Snowsill got her third of the afternoon 4 minutes before the end of the game, securing her hat-trick, and slotting the conversion neatly between the uprights.

All in all, a good performance Bristol, with some weaknesses ironed out at half time. A strong opposition made Bristol work hard for the scores, but a well-deserved victory for the home side sees them progress to the Plate Final, facing Worcester in Lichfield on the 23rd April.

Final score – Bristol 43 (6 tries, 5 conv, 1 pen) – 26 Waterloo Ladies (4 tries, 3 conv)

After the game Coach – Pete Reakes said: “That was a good performance today – against a strong opposition, so all credit to Lichfield, they really pushed us. When we played our style of rugby, we were dangerous and able to run the field – but on a few too many occasions we let Lichfield dictate the game. Half time saw us change a few things, and we did the basic things well and got the simple things right – giving us a great platform to play quick and fast ball –which is when we play best.

“A few of the girls really shone today – Trish Brown playing in the second row and Sian Moore, captain for today, really worked hard. It was an entertaining game and a good win for the squad.”

Forward of the game: Claire Molloy

Back of the game: El Snowsill

Voted for by the players

 GAME STATS:

17 mins – TRY – Bristol – Poppy Leitch, 5 – 0

18 mins – CONV – Bristol – El Snowsill – 7 – 0

20 mins – TRY – Lichfield  – Hannah Smith – 7 – 5

23 mins – PEN – Bristol – Snowsill – 10 – 5

27 mins – TRY – Lichfield – Abi Walker- 10 – 10

28 mins – CONV – Lichfield – Nancy Stone – 10 – 12

34 mins – TRY – Bristol – Snowsill – 15 – 12

35 mins – CONV – Bristol – Snowsill – 17 – 12

39 mins – TRY – Lichfield – Carys Hall – 17 – 17

39 mins – CONV – Lichfield – Stone – 17 – 19

HT

41 mins – TRY – Bristol – Molloy – 22 – 19

42 mins – CONV – Bristol – Snowsill – 24 – 19

49 mins – TRY – Bristol – Molloy – 29- 19

60 mins – TRY- Lichfield – Roz Crowley – 29 – 24

61 mins – CONV – Lichfield – Stone – 29 – 26

63 mins – TRY – Bristol – Snowsill – 34 – 26

64 mins – CONV – Bristol – Snowsill – 36 – 26

74 mins – TRY – Snowsill-  41 – 26

75 mins – CONV – Snowsill – 43 – 26

TEAM SHEETS

Bristol

1) Kathryn Buggy
2) Clara Nielson
3) Abbie Parsons
4) Kayleigh Armstrong
5) Trish Brown
6) Poppy Leitch
7) Claire Molloy
8) Kate Newton
9) Sian Moore ©
10) Els Snowsill
11) Izzy Moore
12) Bryony Cleall
13) Phil Tuttiett
14) Daisy Travers
15) Becky Hughes

16) Amelia Buckland Hurry
17) Taz Bricknell
18) Emma Lacey

 

Buckland Hurry on for Newton – 40 mins

Bricknell on for I Moore – 40 mins

Lacey on for Travers – 75 mins

 

Lichfield

  1. Gina McKenzie
  2. Roz Crowley
  3. Kelsi Butler
  4. Sarah Bonan
  5. Siobhan Ashton-Cleary
  6. Rachel Malcolm
  7. Abi Walkers
  8. Stacey Hiscox
  9. Jess Robinson
  10. Natasha Jones
  11. Carys Hall
  12. Kaz Harris
  13. Hannah Smith
  14. Sarah Tooze
  15. Nancy Stone
  16. Steph Weedon
  17. Laura Hind
  18. Gemma Richards

NEXT GAME

Bristol Ladies vs Worcester – Senior Cup Plate Final, Lichfield, 23rd April – KO time and location to be confirmed.

Above photo shows Claire Molloy by Rikki Teml.