Worcester Valkyries 2nd XV put on a battling display to emerge victorious in their inaugural league fixture against a well-organised, energetic Loughborough Lightning on Sunday.
Playing under the lights on the artificial Worcester University pitch, Valkyries came storming out of the blocks showing aggressive line-speed and intensity at the breakdown area.
This forced Loughborough into a number of errors and allowed Valkyries to get high field-position, which they capitalised on with a powerful score from number eight Ruth Black.
The remainder of the half swung back and forth with both teams showing some enterprising play and resulting in honours being even at half-time at 10-10.
In the second-half the game opened up with Valkyries finding space out wide and left wing Lizzy Reid in particular being a constant threat with ball in hand.
The game turned when Valkyries full-back Holly Malins scythed through the Lightning defence to run in a brilliant individual score under the posts.
Valkyries continued to press and as the game went on they grew in confidence, building pressure on the opposition line which allowed Becky Gordon to power through for a further try meaning the final score was 24-10 to Valkyries.
Valkyries 2nd XV Coach Benny Williams said: “This was a great first performance played with passion and pride in the Valkyries shirt.
“As well as adapting well and playing as a team, the players showed some individual brilliance and many have put themselves in contention for first-team selection. I’m excited to keep seeing the development of players across the rest of the season.”
Report courtesy of Worcester Valkyries
