Sharks welcomed Aylesford Bulls to the Northern Echo Arena on a mild Sunday afternoon. With Sharks Head Coach unavailable due to unforeseen circumstances, members of the Mowden Park 1st team stepped in to support the coaching of the team for the afternoon.
The opening exchanges of the game were somewhat uncertain with turn over ball being knocked on by both sides, possession frequently changing hands. Although Aylesford were generally dominating the set piece, Sharks had most of the ball in open play through some excellent turn overs.
It was an Aylesford infringement that gave Sharks their first opportunity to get into the opponent’s half. Mclean kicked further into the Aylesford 22m area and Sharks launched their attack from the lineout. Sharks let the ball do the work and spread the play wide with some strong carries and great ball retention. Sharks forwards took the initiative making meters with each carry until eventually Hunter was within striking distance picking up to crash over the line. First blood to the Sharks, not converted by Mclean. 5-0
Aylesford restart didn’t go 10m giving Sharks the centre scrum. An infringement at the scrum gave Sharks a further opportunity to kick into the Aylesford half. Despite losing the ball at the lineout, Sharks managed to come away with possession in the following phase and moved the ball out to full back Warrington who was up-ended by the Aylesford defence.
Another penalty and another opportunity to launch an attack. Mclean ably put Sharks back into the Aylesford 22m but again the lineout was lost and Aylesford marched their way back to the half way line and then a break saw the visitors encroaching on the Sharks 22m. Mclean popped up again, this time turning the ball over the win a penalty and keep Aylesford at bay for a little longer. The penalty gave Sharks a lineout on the half way line which was won this time and moved out to midfield. Some great momentum for Sharks was lost when the ball was knocked on at the ruck. A penalty from the resulting scrum saw Aylesford work their way into the Sharks half. Some great defence from Sharks at the lineout saw the ball held up and turned over.
Under huge pressure at the scrum Sharks managed to get the ball away and force a penalty from the breakdown. Mclean put boot to ball and put Sharks back in the Aylesford half. A high tackle gave Sharks the opportunity to go quickly but the ball was trapped and Sharks gifted the scrum to Aylesford. Sharks generosity was returned when Aylesford immediately made a forward pass from the scrum re-gifting the ball back to Sharks. A cut to the head of captain Georgina Roberts saw Linzi Taylor make an early arrival on the pitch.
Sharks played the ball wide down the right wing with Rachael Woosey making a strong carry down the outside channel but became isolated and Aylesford won the penalty. The kick didn’t quite make touch and triple punishment from Mclean saw her surge back into the Aylesford half winning a penalty at the breakdown and kicking Sharks into the Aylesford 22m. Sharks won the resulting lineout and used the forwards to pick and go, retaining the ball time after time until Mattinson released to Mclean who sidestepped her opposite number to sail through the oppositions defence. 10-0 to Sharks conversion hit the post and bounced out.
A period of indiscipline from Sharks from the restart saw Aylesford quickly and easily parked firmly on the Sharks 5m line. Already under pressure at the scrum Aylesford walked in for an easy try. 10-5 not converted.
The remaining minutes of the half were to be all Aylesford as they retained the ball from the restart and powered their way into the Sharks 22m. Strong phases around the breakdown saw the Sharks defence sucked in and beaten by the ball out wide as Aylesford scored down the open wing. 10-10 conversion missed.
Half time score 10-10
Hannah Morton and Emily Hunter replaced soon after the half by Linzi Taylor and Anna Wolf. The half started with some back and forth play ultimately resulting in an Aylesford penalty which they took quickly and battered their way into the arms of centre Mackenzie Thomas who turned the ball over for a Sharks penalty.
Mclean booted the Sharks out of their own half but the lineout was lost and Aylesford opted to pick and go before releasing the ball to the midfield where Sharks bought an outrageous show and go. Sharks scramble defence was unable to manage the ensuing attack and Aylesford went over to go ahead for the first time in the game, the conversion took the visitors to 10-17.
A sharks knock on in the midfield saw Aylesford kick from the scrum enticing Thomas in her new position on the wing back into the game. Strong carrying and well recycled ball forced Aylesford to give up yet another penalty. Again Mclean kicked Sharks into the Aylesford half but Sharks were unable to hang on to the ball at the lineout. Aylesford kicked clear giving Sharks another chance at the lineout. Won this time but sharks were held up midfield giving Aylesford the scrum.
An early engagement gave Sharks the chance to free kick booting the ball down field and out for a Aylesford lineout. Sensing the opportunity, Sharks pressured the lineout and forced and overthrow which was knocked on at the back by Aylesford. Sharks won a penalty from the following scrum and opted to go quickly only to knock on at the directly opposite side of the pitch.
Another scrum, this time no infringement from Aylesford, instead the pick and go and then box kick clear keeping the ball in play. Mattinson responded with a box kick of her own, making touch and putting Sharks back in the Aylesford 22m. Sharks pressure the lineout again, this time flanker Liz Steele with the steal. Tamara Taylor carried hard from the lineout and quick ball to Mclean saw her dart over the Aylesford line only to be held up. Sharks retained possession and after several attacks on the Aylesford line it was prop Heather Kerr who powered over for Sharks third try. 15-17 conversion missed.
A sharks knock on from the restart gave Aylesford an open door to get back into the game near the Sharks 22m. Successive quick phases from the scrum again saw the Sharks defence drawn in and Aylesford spun the ball out with ease to crash over close to the posts. Conversion made taking the scores to 15-24.
McCormack, Nash and Thomas replaced by Bush, Manson and Grant.
Sharks restarted the game and immediately won another penalty, Grant eager to get into the game carried hard from the quick tap but a knock on gave Aylesford the scrum. A sharp attack down the right wing gave captain Roberts the opportunity for a steal, never needing s second invitation she gladly took the ball and Mclean recycled but the ball was knocked on giving Aylesford a scrum well within striking distance of the Sharks line. Relentless phases from the the Aylesford forwards put the visitors firmly on the front foot and quick ball out to the wing put Aylesford in the corner 15-29, conversion missed.
With less then 10 minutes on the clock, Sharks threw everything at Aylesford charging a kick in the opponents 22m. Just when it looked like there might be a final chance for the home side the ball was knocked on and the referee called time. Sharks 15 – 29 Aylesford.
Sharks gave huge thanks to their ever loving Mowden supporters and to the members of the Mowden 1st team for their help on the day.
Sharks next home game is on January 8th v Worcester Valkyries
Report courtesy of Darlington Mowden Park Sharks
