Disrupted by a raft of changes to the team due to illness and injury, it was to be a slow start for the Sharks as a rampant Lichfield attack proved difficult to deal with in the opening exchanges. After just 20 minutes the away side were ahead by 22 unanswered points after an Emily Scarratt penalty and three further tries through the Lichfield back line.
Sharks were lifted by their ever faithful supporters, many of whom had rearranged their day to be at the game after a frozen pitch at Mowden Park meant a move to Maiden Castle in Durham.
With the 16th player firmly behind the home side, Sharks ramped up a gear. Strong carries from the Rianna Mason and Zoe Aldcroft gave Sharks the momentum they needed to to put Lichfield under pressure and force penalties at the breakdown. Fly half Katy Mclean kicked Sharks into the corner and a well worked driven lineout saw scrum half Emma Lloyd Edwards steer the maul over the line for the Sharks first score of the game on 37 minutes.
Half time score 5 – 27
Sharks were forced into making more changes to the team as an injured Sam Jamieson was replaced by Alex Webster and Charlotte Lewis was replaced by Rachael Phillips. The second half open much more competitively with both sides getting on the score board within 5 minutes. Scarratt crossed first for Lichfield followed by Sharks winger Bex Wilson putting the scores at 10-34.
This was to be turning point in the game for Sharks as they launched an immense fight back into the game. Some dogged defence and pressure at the breakdown saw Sharks with increased possession and attacking opportunities.
The forward pack, led by Tamara Taylor, continued to draw penalties around the break down and eventually Lichfield’s Laura Hind was sin binned for a repeated team infringement. Katy Mclean wasted no time in taking advantage of the additional space, spotting a gap and cutting through the Lichfield defence to score under the posts and add the conversion. 17 -34 at 75 mins.
The final 5 minutes of the game was Sharks dominated as the team fought hard to get a final score on the board. Time quickly ran out for the home side and a penalty in the last few seconds saw the home side content to kick the ball out and end the game.
This week’s players of the match were without doubt the Sharks support staff who did everything necessary to ensure that the game went ahead and the Sharks supporters who, as always, brought boundless energy to the occasion. Thank you!
Sharks next home game is on March 26th v Saracens. Sharks Annual Wine and Cheese Luncheon will take place alongside the game. More information coming soon.
Report courtesy of DMP Sharks
