Battling Bristol finish well beaten by the champs
SARACENS, the defending champions, proved too strong for Bristol Bears Women, running out 36-10 victors in a bruising encounter at Shaftesbury Park.
The visitors came flying out of the blocks from the first whistle and punished Bristol’s ill-discipline as Sydney Gregson opened the scoring under the posts following a strong driving line-out from Saracens. The women in red soon had their second try as Marlie Packer broke on halfway and ate up the turf in front of her before finding Sophie de Goede on the inside to make it 12-0.
Bristol couldn’t halt the Sarries charge and Bryony Cleall bagged their third try from short range inside 15minutes.
Bears had to do some soulsearching and find something from within if they were to prevent Saracens racking up the scoreboard and they did just that. With their backs up against the wall, the home side managed to up the pressure in defence, which led to a turn in the tide. Rownita Marston was everywhere throughout the first half, putting in bone-crunching tackles to bring down Saracens’ big ball carriers, and her team-mates soon followed suit.
Twenty minutes into the first half the Bears began to build their first meaningful attack of the game as a sweeping moved across the pitch saw Jaz Joyce race into the Saracens’ 22.
The following ten minutes saw the Bears exert some attacking pressure of their own with line-out after line-out, continually knocking on the door and five minutes before half-time they had their reward.
A throw to the tail from Clara Neilson gave the Bears a prime opportunity to set-up a driving maul, which Simi Pam peeled off the back of and raced through to touch down.
Following the half-time interval, Bristol needed the first score but it went the way of Saracens as Packer dotted down from the tail of the line-out.
However, the Bears would not be deterred. A moment of dazzling individual brilliance from Jasmine Joyce saw her break 40 metres up the pitch and deep into Saracens territory. The hosts went through the phases before the ball was spun wide to the winger, who finished the move she started in the corner.
Soon after, though, Zoe Gregson hit a fine line on the inside of Harrison to ghost through the Bears’ defence and dot down. Saracens also had the final say with a try from Cleall.
» This report first appeared on www.bristolbearsrugby.com.