Bristol Ladies fell to their second defeat of the season this afternoon at the hands of Lichfield Ladies. Only four points separated the teams on their last league meeting in a close encounter at Cleve RFC, and a similar game unfolded on the field today.
The home side scored two first half tries in the first twenty minutes as Bristol failed to make an impact at the start of the game. A driving maul on seven minutes saw the Lichfield forwards, and several of the backs, steam their way over the Bristol line, and five minutes later a gap in the Bristol defensive line saw Lichfield get their second, converted by Emily Scarratt.
Bristol built pressure from this point with attacking phases strongly defended by Lichfield. Chantelle Miell (sponsored by Dambusters Rugby) finally came through for Bristol with a try, running straight through the Lichfield line to dot the ball down over, the conversion went wide.
The second half started well, both teams came out fighting, but Bristol used momentum and secured a penalty try after Lichfield brought down a driving maul – Meg Jones slotted the conversion this time – taking the game to a tie at 12 all.
With 20 minutes to go, Bristol moved to 14 men as Captain Amelia Buckland Hurry was sin binned for a high tackle, and the defence stepped up and kept Lichfield out. Ten minutes from the end, the boot of Emily Scarrett gave Lichfield the lead as she scored a penalty just left of the posts and left Bristol to chase a final score.
A few inaccuracy left Bristol on the back foot, and the final whistle blew giving Lichfield the win, and leaving it one win apiece for the two sides this season. Lichfield move onto 44 points, but the losing bonus point means Bristol are one point ahead at the top of the Women’s Premiership.
Final Score: Lichfield Ladies 15 – 12 Bristol Ladies
Scores Schedule:
| Minutes | Team | Type | Player | Score |
| 7 | LICH | TRY | 5 – 0 | |
| 13 | LICH | TRY | 10 – 0 | |
| 13 | LICH | CONV | Scarratt | 12 – 0 |
| 32 | BRI | TRY | Miell | 12 – 5 |
| 47 | BRI | TRY | PENALTY | 12 – 10 |
| 47 | BRI | CONV | Jones | 12-12 |
| 71 | LICH | PEN | Scarratt | 15 – 12 |
Bristol Team Sheet:
- Abbie Parsons (70 mins)
- Clara Nielson
- Sarah Bern (40 mins)
- Amelia Buckland Hurry ©
- Kayleigh Armstrong
- Izzy Noel Smith (60 mins)
- Poppy Leitch (70 mins)
- Poppy Cleall
- Cat McNaney
- Megan Jones
- Amy Wilson Hardy
- Sarah Graham
- Carrie Roberts (40 mins)
- Chantelle Miell
- Sydney Gregson
- Daisy Travers (for Parsons)
- Kate Newton (for Noel Smith)
- Marlie Packer (for Bern)
- Liv Jones (for Leitch)
- Sue Nuemann
- Lucy Attwood
- Nolli Waterman (for Roberts)
Lichfield Team Sheet:
- Katie Trevarthen
- Amy Cokayne (VC)
- Roz Jermine
- Sarah Bonar
- Molly Morrissey
- Rachel Malcolm
- Laura Hind
- Abi Walker
- Mo Hunt
- Sarah Nicholas
- Jenny Maxwell
- Tash Jones (C)
- Emily Scarratt
- Carys Hall
- Charlotte Pearce
- Cat Pugh
- Emily Hughes
- Kay Searcy
- Becky Scholes
- Rachel Squires
- Jordan Bixley
Report courtesy of Emma Bacon, Bristol Ladies Media, sponsored by Wring Group
