Saracens Ladies v Lichfield Ladies

Review

Saracens Women welcomed Lichfield on a bright but frosty afternoon at Allianz Park.

The home side started confidently with some patient phase play through the forwards ending with prop, Kerrie-Ann Craddock powering over the line. 5-0.

Lichfield replied immediately, winning a penalty in front of the sticks which was cooly slotted by full back, Sarah Nicholas bringing score to 5-3.

Sarah McKenna, who was outstanding throughout, proved a constant threat. Slicing through the Lichfield defence, she released young winger, Seraphine Okemba who put the burners on to score under the posts. McKenna added the extras to make it 12-3.

Saracens struck again immediately Craddock gathered a tricky restart, linking with Poppy Cleall who made a charging run to put McKenna through the gap and under the sticks. McKenna converting her try. 19-3.

Lichfield continued to press with some nice breaks courtesy of the energetic fly half, Natasha Jones and the hard hitting Vicky Jackson in midfield but could not penetrate the solid Saracens defence.

The home side had the final say in the first half, winning a penalty which McKenna put away to take the score to 22-3 at the break.

Saracens built on their first half momentum with no. 8, Sonia Green making an excellent break, offloading to her back row partner, Hannah Gallagher to score. McKenna added the extras 29-3.

The visiting sides defence was tested to the limit as Saracens pack surged forward but their line was finally breached with Gallagher over for her second of the day and the all important bonus point. 34-3.

McKenna added to her tally with an opportunistic try after pouncing on a loose ball after a fumble by the Lichfield midfield. The conversion was on target taking McKenna’s contribution to 22 points.

Lichfield’s Emily Braund gave excellent go forward, making vital yards off the base of the scrums. The visitors efforts were rewarded when second row, Stacy Maguire dotted down in the corner after some slick handling. 41-8.

The visitors nearly had the final say making a searing break down the wing, only for McKenna to put in a try saving tackle and Okemba in support to win the penalty and clear their lines.

The final whistle blew and Saracens took the full 5 points, final score, 41-8.