Lichfield/Burton vs. Worcester 8/12/07

We knew Lichfield/Burton were going to be tough as we'd heard that they had beaten Leos quite convincingly. Playing two England U20s players seemed a bad sign as well. And so it started. Worcester had the ball, Lichfield/Burton turned us over, the ball went out to the wing and Emily Scarratt scored under the posts. Emily converted her own try and Worcester were 7-0 down in the first 3 minutes.

L/B had a strong pack of forwards and the Worcester pack needed to work harder and harder to retain our own ball. Having been turned over several times, the pack turned it on and things started to go our way a little more. Sophie and Beth both scored in the first half with some excellent play from the backs and half-time it was 7-14 and there was all to play for.

Second half and L/B were putting on the pressure. Our scrum was working well though and we were keeping hold of our own ball and starting to steal some of L/Bs as well. Bean scored and the score was 7-19 and feeling a bit more comfortable. A number of the penalty calls were going our way and when we won a penalty in the L/B 22 the call was made to take the points. 7-22 and two scores in front and the game was going our way. Later on the ball went out to Fran, which hadn't happened too much, who grabbed the final Worcester try.

Lichfield/Burton kept up the pressure and in the dying minutes they were in the Worcester 22 putting huge pressure on the whole team defensively. We had to work hard for a series of scrums, rucks and mauls an in the end the pressure told and L/B went over for another try. Final score was 12-27 and a relieved team came off the field. Thanks to the team, the replacements, who all came on and played, and Tolley who captained the team in the absence of the injured Ale. Also thanks to our nominated player of the game - Coral.

Team: Beth, Fran, Lydia, Sophie, Jade, Bean, Alyssa, Kim, Coral, Siobhan, Leanne, Sophie, Eliza, Sarah and Tolley. Replacements: Ghostie, Sophie, Jordan.

Thanks to Lichfield/Burton for the match and the hospitality and we look forward to the return fixture.

Steve