Saracens Amateur RFC Limited

On a wet and blustery afternoon Worcester were well beaten by a determined, well drilled Sarries outfit.

The visitors dominance left Worcester fighting to defend and playing the majority of the game in the in their own half, frequently their own 22.

Saracens surged forward from the opening whistle and it was surprising that it took 13 minutes for them to convert their advantage into points, the excellent Maggie Alphonsi scoring in the corner.

Worcester were given heart nine minutes later when, against the run of play, the ball was worked wide for Kat Merchant to finish with powerful run outpacing the visitors defence to level the scores.

Sarries continued to stamp their superiority on the game and increased their lead in the 29th minute, their dominance rewarded with a penalty try. Lyndsey Wheeler made the only conversion of the afternoon.

A rare indecision from the visitors and an even rarer foray into their half gave Worcester the opportunity to redress the balance, Darel Poole taking advantage with a well struck penalty in the 35th minute.

Any hopes Worcester may have had in respect of a revival disappeared at the start of the second half when Kat Merchant and Rochelle Clarke were forced out of the game, but some praise has to be given to Clarke’s replacement, Anna MacDonald, who scrummaged well and made several big hits in a very spirited performance.

Worcester’s Head coach, Donna Kennedy introduced herself into the fray for the final minutes of the game and given the extra bite and stability that became evident, could well consider herself for selection next week when the journey to Wasps is likely to provide another big challenge.

For Sarries, replacement Hannah Gallagher crossed the line twice on 57 and 79 minutes and Lindsay Wheeler completed what could have been a route 7 minutes from time.

Highlights of this game can be seen at www.vimeo.com/76818840

Photos by Elaine Peedle