Allianz Premier 15s Round One Roundup
Following the culmination of the biggest Rugby World Cup for the women’s game so far, a new and exciting Allianz Premier 15s season has begun.
Here is a brief round-up of all five of the opening fixtures, where we were treated to a plethora of fantastic games.
Sale Sharks vs. DMP Sharks (31-12)
Sale Sharks started their league season strongly with an five try winning performance against northern rivals DMP Sharks. Last season, DMP Sharks were the only team Sale Sharks recorded wins against, so the momentum going forward to next week will be essential to set the standard for their season ahead.
Early tries from Scarlett Fielding and Mhairi Grieve put the home side ahead. Just before half an hour into the game, DMP Sharks’ Sam Herrick scored for the visitors. Despite sustained pressure from DMP, Sale led 12-05.
Vicky Irwin scored the first try of the second half for the home side, making the score 19-5. Debutant Alycia Washington followed to score her first try for Sale Sharks. DMP’s April Ishida scored and converted a try for the visitors, making the score 26-12.
Within the final 10 minutes, Courtney Pursglove went over after a series of pick-and-go plays gave her the space on the wing to score.
A home win at the Corpacq Stadium will propel Sale on to next week where they face Bristol Bears on Saturday 26th November. DMP will be hoping for a vital win, but face last year’s finalists Exeter Chiefs on Saturday.
Bristol Bears vs. Wasps (62-0)
Bristol Bears gave the 2,513-person strong crowd at Ashton Gate a performance to marvel at, scoring ten tries past visitors Wasps. Claire Molloy opened the scoring for the game as she darted past the defence in the first few minutes of the game.
A pass from Phoebe Murray then set Lucy Burgess up under the sticks for her first try of the afternoon. A second soon followed after a strong attacking phase from Amber Reed allowed Burgess to score once more.
The Bears were then awarded a penalty try as a result of being held up illegally by the Wasps defence. The next try came from Murray, aided by Delaney Giles, taking the home side comfortably into the break 33-0.
The second half remained much the same as the first, with Bristol scoring a further seven tries. Grace White scored two, both on the wing, extending their lead to 45-0.
Bo Osborn-Clarke impressed by scoring on her Allianz Premier 15s debut. With ten minutes left on the clock, Holly Phillips added to the Bears’ scoreline. Manon Jones, Bristol’s pick of the match, put the final nail in the Wasps’ coffin for the afternoon, taking the score up to 66-0.
Wasps will face another tough game next week against reigning Allianz Premier 15s champions Saracens. Bristol travel the short distance to Gloucester-Hartpury for their next match.
Exeter Chiefs vs. Gloucester-Hartpury (17-25)
Gloucester-Hartpury put in a strong performance away from home at Sandy Park ultimately coming out on top against a defiant Exeter Chiefs side.
First-half tries from Sophie Bridger and Mo Hunt, a penalty slotted by Emma Sing for Gloucester-Hartpury, and a try for Ebony Jeffries for Exeter Chiefs made the half-time score 17-5 to the visitors.
A try for Gloucester’s Rachel Lund in the second half extended their lead to 22-5. Sing delivered from the tee once more with another penalty kick, making the score 25-5.
The Chiefs fought back, with tries from Katie Buchanan and Cliodhna Moloney in the 75th and 82nd minutes respectively.
A successful conversion on the second try kicked by Exeter’s Liv McGoverne left the final score at 17-25 to Gloucester-Hartpury.
Exeter Chiefs will travel to face DMP Sharks next weekend, while Gloucester-Hartpury host West Country rivals Bristol Bears at home, both on Saturday 26th November.
Saracens vs. Loughborough Lightning (34-21)
Saracens’ May Campbell helped to steer her team to victory at the StoneX Stadium with a hattrick of tries in their first league game of the season.
The visitors Loughborough made a strong start, with their opening try coming from Lauren Bogler and the conversion secured by Emma Hardy.
Cambell opened the scoring for Saracens, dotting down from the back of a driving maul. She also delivered their second, with another powerful carry.
At half time, the home side led 12-7. Two minutes into the second half, Saracens scored through Kelsey Clifford following dominant carries from the forwards.
Two minutes later, Campbell scored her third of the game from a driving maul once more. With 10 tries now in four games, she remains a massive try-scoring threat to any opposition.
Bolger scored her second for Loughborough from a slick performance from the backs. This was swiftly followed by her third as she gathered an interception and sped away to score.
Georgia Evans bagged a vital try for Saracens at the death, denying their opposition a losing bonus point in the process.
Saracens will face Wasps in a London derby in Acton next, while Loughborough play Harlequins at home both on Sunday 27th November.
Harlequins vs. Worcester Warriors (14-28)
Worcester started with intent at Twickenham Stoop, with early tries coming from El Febrey and Vicky Laflin.
Febrey’s try came from a driving maul, while Laflin neatly collected a pinpoint grubber from centre Vicky Foxwell to score.
Both conversions were secured by Foxwell, and the score for the first half remained at 0-14 to the Warriors. Quins were let down by errors with their discipline in the first half, leaving them scoreless.
The second half looked brighter for the home side, with debutant Bryony Cleall scoring in her first run out at the Stoop in the 49th minute.
Warriors fought back swiftly, with a try coming from Charlotte Wright Haley minutes later.
Winger Laflin went on to score again, darting through the defence. In the 72nd minute, Quins’ Lucy Heryet scored to pull the home side’s score up to 14-28 at full-time.
The win for Worcester is a huge way to start their season, after suffering two losses to Quins last season.
Harlequins will play Loughborough lightning away next weekend, and Worcester face Sale Sharks at Sixways.
