Flames on fire to outgun Manchester

Sunderland Flames cemented third place in the Women’s North Division Two, with a ruthless 54-17 victory over Manchester at Ashbrooke.

The impressive hosts never looked back after Saskia RyanMunden, at full-back for the first time, finished a flowing fifth-minute move for an 5-0 lead.

Skipper Amber Stonehouse took a pass from Jenny Cox and burrowed under four tackles for a 12- 0 lead, with TaraBresl in converting.

Manchester responded with a good try and put the Flames under immense pressure for 10 minutes, but an excellent turnover from Rachael Knight allowed Sunderland to clear.

Sunderland finished the first half on top, going 195 ahea when Beth Geehan’s tackle and pressure from Jenny Carter saw Manchester’s No 10 slice her kick. Steph M addison re acted quickest, scooping up the ball off her feet and releasing a perfectly timed pass to Kirsty Paterson, who finished the try, with Breslin converting Breslin rounded the full-back to extend the lead with a converted try on the restart, and she scored again three min tues later, after great work from Julie Noble, with Breslin speeding past the last defender from 20 metres out.

Her conversion made it 335, but Manchester responded with an excellent score.

The best try of the game followed, with Kate Readman and Carter making progress, Breslin and Paterson breaking the line and finding Cox, who fed Nicole Irving. She offloaded to Amanda Hilton, who ran it in from five yards. Breslin converted.

Paterson’s solo break gave her a second try, with Breslin’s conversion making it 47-10 before the final home try came courtesy of Breslin, completing a fine hat-trick and convertin from the touchling to take her personal tally to 23 points.

Never-say-die Manchester bagged a late converted try to finish the scoring.

Sunderland gave debuts to subs Gina Andrews and Siobhan Hatch, with both playing their first ever game of rugby.

Flames’ dominant display sets them up superbly for Sunday’s cup tie away to York RI (2pm).