Richmond Women v Aylesford Bulls Ladies

Review

This Sunday saw another successful weekend for the women’s section at Richmond Rugby Club. While the twos beat Thurrock in their seventh bonus point win of the season, the ones annihilated Aylesford with a 74-0 victory. This means that Richmond come away leading both the Championship and the Premiership, having played and defeated every team so far.

Aylesford kick off the game, immediately gaining territory, and for a while Richmond struggled to break out of their own half. They eventually managed to work their way into Aylesford’s 22, following several strong runs. With their forwards dominating each line out and scrum, Richmond’s pack used their strength to drive over the line, allowing Emma Croker to score the first try of the match. 5-0

The next try came just two minutes later, this time from two excellent runs. Jackie Shiels sprinted up the pitch and offloaded to flanker Fiona Fletcher, who turns on the pace to score, leaving the Aylesford defenders unable to keep up. The conversion was good from Shiels, making the score 12-0.

Chloe Edwards, Holly Myers and Leanne Riley all made great line-breaks, and soon Aylesford were again battling to defend their try line. They succeeded for a while, but in the end winger Oli Davies score in the corner. 17-0

Five minutes later, Richmond and England second row Rowena Burnfield cuts a terrific line, then offloads to Shiels who was in support. Shiels finishes off the try and Abi Chamberlain converts. 24-0

Aylesford regrouped and hit back and look dangerous as they attack Richmond’s 22. Richmond apply great defensive pressure however, pushing Aylesford back, and cause them to give away a penalty. Richmond win the resulting line-out, pushing Aylesford back another ten metres through their outstanding catch and drive.

Riley and Alicia McComish make another couple of runs, and the forwards continue to control the game at set-piece, but the score going into halftime remains 24-0.

In the second half Richmond look to turn the screw and run hard at Aylesford through the forwards, which pulls in the defenders, resulting in another try converted by Shiels. 31-0

Five minutes later, Shiels gets on the score sheet again, crossing the whitewash for another try which she also converts.  38-0

Richmond were in full control at set piece. Croker at hooker was having a stormer of a game, putting in the hard yards in scrums and line outs. She scored her third try from another powerful catch and drive from the lineout. 43-0

Replacement scrum half Jade Wong made a significant impact when she came on the pitch, putting Richmond on the front foot deep in Aylesford’s territory  by running almost the whole length of the pitch. Richmond then overturn several scrums in front of Aylesford’s try line. Burnfield scores, catching a cheeky kick just over the try line, and Chamberlain successfully kicks a challenging conversion. 50-0

Ten minutes later, the set piece was showing no signs of creaking as Croker scored her fourth try, following another terrific drive from a line out. Five minutes after this, Anna Caplice and Oli Davies run the whole length of the pitch, allowing Oli to finish off the move to score under the posts. Shiels makes the conversion, bringing the score to 62-0.

Caplice continually made good ground picking and going off the back of the scrum and was cutting some great offensive lines – she was rewarded for her efforts by getting a try of her own, converted by Shiels.

The game ends with Croker having the final say of the game scoring her 5th try, making Richmond’s triumphant score 74-0.

The team, having secured their lead in the Premiership and retain the top spot. Next week they make the long journey to DMP to keep the winning streak going.