Worcester Ladies v Saracens Ladies

Review

One could be forgiven for looking at the score line and thinking that this was a comfortable victory for Saracens, but until the visitors made three significant substitutions on 50 minutes, Worcester looked the team more likely to take the points.

The home side opened confidently, taking the game to Saracens who were penned in their own half for the first 17 minutes, however, on their first visit to the home sides 22, they scored through French wing, Seraphine Okemba, who repeated her feat two minutes later.

Undeterred, Worcester kept foraging forward and their enterprising rugby was rewarded with a try from Rachael Lund. The home side continued to press forward and must have wondered why they were losing at half time.

Worcester’s debutante Harriet Dunn had been causing havoc in the forward play, carrying well and breaking tackles, but unfortunately had to retire immediately after the break through injury and although the home side continued to play entertaining rugby, the visitors starting to dominate possession.

Sally Tuson and Leanne Riley, both international backs, were introduced by Saracens on 50 minutes and with Sarah McKenna and April Brown both making intelligent use of the wind with their kicking, the tide began to turn against the brave efforts of the home side as they conceded four tries in rapid succession, two from Okemba, who showed scintillating pace throughout, and two from Lynn Cattell who also made one conversion.

With Worcester introducing 6 players for their premiership debut, this was an encouraging and spirited performance, but there was no doubt that Saracens deserved their victory using their superior pace and skill to eventually outwit the largely inexperienced home side.

Whilst the visitors Okemba took the limelight, Saracens No. 8 Sonia Green had an outstanding game with Harriet Dunn and Kelly Smith giving excellent performances for Worcester.

From a spectator perspective, this was a first class game of passionate rugby.