DMP Sharks v Worcester Ladies

Review

Worcester returned from their long journey north with a well-earned victory over DMP Sharks in an exciting game in which both teams gave their all.

DMP were unable to call on their talisman Katy McLean due to England duty but did welcome back Julie Hope to the squad.

Conditions at the Northern Echo Arena were perfect as Worcester got the game under way. The visitors started aggressively and their line speed surprised the home side who were placed on the back foot from the onset. With the Worcester forwards dominating, their backs enjoyed some early freedom and a break from skipper Ceri Large opened the scoring on eleven minutes.

DMP reacted to this set back in the perfect way by applying pressure to Worcester’s back line, finding themselves constantly camped in Worcester’s half, trying to break through their determined defence. Unfortunately, it was an all too familiar story as DMP failed to convert a long period of possession, deep in the Worcester’s half, into points, as they knocked on at the vital moment gifting possession back to Worcester.

The visitors maintained their onslaught and increased their lead on 26 minutes with a penalty try, following four disrupted 5m scrummages. Megan Goddard took the extras.

The remainder of the half was dominated by the visitors, but despite their constant pressure and entertaining play, Sharks defended magnificently and they were unable to add to the score. 0-12.

Worcester opened the second period in similar vein and intense forward pressure saw Rochelle Clark score, Goddard again adding the extras.

In a moment of Sharks pressure, some interesting defence from the visitors gifted the home side a try on 49 minutes from the hard working Emily Hunter, converted by Becky Scholes, who had a good game at fly half.

Sharks appeared revitalised and a 20 minute period of intensive Sharks pressure followed, but they were unable to penetrate the well drilled visitors defence.

Worcester eventually found their form again and some fluid play which saw Lauren Chenoweth score in the 70^th, followed by superb wide kick from Goddard to take the extras.

Sharks could well have felt that their second half performance deserved more and that the score line somewhat flattered the visitors, and in terms of possession, the home side will have been disappointed with the outcome. Final score 7-26.