DMP Sharks made the long journey to the Allianz park stadium to play Saracens in the semi-final of the senior cup; this was the first senior cup final that Sharks had been involved in unfortunately due to an enforced rest they would be without their England Elite and U20s players.
At 3pm with the weather warm but overcast Sharks got the game under way Saracens collected the kick and ran it straight back into the heart of the Sharks defence.
Sharks defensive line coped well with Saracens power and for the first few minutes kept Saracens pegged back in their own half.
Saracens cranked up the pressure with great off-loading out of the tackle increasing the pressure which resulted in a penalty to Saracens who elected to kick for points up stepped Saracens no 10 Brown who slotted the kick leaving the score on 5 minutes Saracens 3 DMP Sharks 0.
Sharks restarted the game and for the next 15 minutes put in a herculean effort the keep the current Cup Champions at bay.
Saracens turned up the pressure with wave after wave of attacks only being kept at bay by unbelievable defence forcing two knock-ons by Saracens with the try line begging.
Saracens continued to pressure Sharks and on 21 minutes the pressure told when great hands saw Saracens no 11 Visten over on the right hand side converted by brown leaving the score Saracens 10 DMP Sharks 0.
Sharks got the game underway but the combination of strong forward play and quick hands from Saracens was causing problems all over the pitch.
Saracens were awarded a scrum on 25 minutes on Sharks 5 metre line quick ball out to the forwards saw wave after wave of attacks repelled by brave Sharks defence something had to give and it did when Saracens Cleall crashed over the line converted by Brown leaving the score Saracens 17 DMP Sharks 0.
Sharks as they have done all season reacted to the score when straight from the kick off they strung a few phases together causing Saracens problems which resulted in a penalty which Captain Georgina Roberts elected to kick up stepped Sam Jamieson to slot a fantastic kick leaving the score on 23 minutes Saracens 17 DMP Sharks 3.
The game continued at a frenetic pace with Saracens showing great attacking flair which nearly resulted in another score only to be ruled out for a forward pass.
Sharks had some attacking play of their own when a turnover ball was put to the boot by fly half Scholes the ball wasn’t gathered cleanly by Saracens defence which was capitalised on by Sharks Elle Pitcher who’s chase was excellent she got her foot to the ball to hack it on and as she clashed with a Saracens defender Shark’s Sarah Bush had made a lung busting run to keep up with play as she dived on the ball to score her first try for Sharks (not converted) leaving the score at half time Saracens 17 DMP Sharks 8.
Saracens got the second half underway and came out of the blocks firing again only well organised and determined defence keeping them at bay. Saracens were moving the ball freely and on 45 minutes great hands saw an overlap on the right hand side which saw Saracens no 14 Barras over in the corner (not converted) leaving the score Saracens 22 DMP Sharks 8.
Sharks were now on the back foot as Saracens began playing with great confidence which paid dividends when on 50 minutes Saracens no 1 Thomas forced her way over the line from a 5 metre line out (not converted) leaving the score Saracens 27 Sharks 8.
Sharks responded well again and for the next 10 minutes kept Saracens at bay but they couldn’t hold out forever when on 65 minutes Saracens no 11 Flemming raced over in the left hand corner (not converted) leaving the score Saracens 32 DMP Sharks 8.
Sharks were under great pressure as they found Saracens camped on their 5 metre line only keeping them at bay with last ditch tackles, Sharks were awarded a scrum on their 5 metre line and cleared their lines this was only a small respite as Saracens again turned up the pressure which resulted in Sharks no 6 Daisy Pelton receiving a yellow card.
The numbers were evened up a minute later when Saracens Cleall put in a late challenge on Sharks fly half Scholes and was shown the yellow card.
On 70 Minutes Saracens no 15 Visiten scored her second of the day when she received the ball out on the right hand side to score (not converted) leaving the score Saracens 37 Sharks 8.
Sharks again responded to the try brilliantly as they pinned Saracens down in their own half , their hard work was rewarded with a scrum on Saracens 5 metre line unfortunately the ball was lost against the head and Saracens no 9 Georgia Gulliver raced up field making great ground unfortunately becoming injured in the process.
Sharks worked hard gained possession and worked themselves deep into Saracens territory a line out was awarded on Saracens 5 metre line which was secured quick hands saw sharks within two metres of the try line unfortunately a knock on allowed Saracens to clear their line.
With 80 minutes on the clock Saracens quick hands through the backs saw no 11 Flemming in space she showed blistering pace to race from the half way line and score her second of the day under the post (not converted) leaving the final score Saracens 42 DMP Sharks 8.
Report courtesy of DMP Sharks
