Saracens Women – Worcester Valkyries

Match report

Saracens Women recorded their second win of the Tyrrells Premier 15s campaign, defeating Worcester Valkyries 43-7 at Allianz Park.

Poppy Cleall set the ball rolling with a try on the half-hour mark and the England international added her second of the afternoon five minutes later.

Fellow back rower Marlie Packer crossed prior to the break and skipper Lotte Clapp made sure of the bonus point before Cleall completed her hat-trick with a barnstorming carry off a line-out.

Worcester grabbed a consolation through Lindsay O’Donnell, but Saracens stretched their advantage with late scores from Georgie Lingham and Nina Vistisen.

Sarries faced a different Valkyries outfit to the one they put 177 points on in 2017/18 and were made to work hard for their first points on the board.

The visitors’ defence finally wilted three quarters of the way through the first period. Number 8 Cleall had the power and direction to muscle her way to the line from the base of the scrum.

The 26-year-old doubled her tally moments later thanks to quick footwork from captain Clapp and the brutality of her pack.

An infringement at the ruck saw Zoe Bennon sent to the bin and the Women in Black capitalised on their woman advantage. Centre Lauren Cattell’s arcing run allowed Packer a trot to the line for a 19-0 lead at half-time.

Georgie Gulliver’s quick thinking created an opening for Clapp to dot down and Cleall scored a third as Alex Austerberry’s side squeezed a Worcester side who had ran out of gas.

They pull one back through O’Donnell with 15 minutes remaining, but great hands set Lingham away and Vistisen wrapped things up in the dying embers.