Murray hat-trick downs champs

CHARLOTTE Murray scored a hat-trick of tries as Lichfield began their Women’s Premiership campaign by thumping last year’s winners Richmond 53-7 on their own turf last weekend.

Lichfield scored nine tries in total with further scores from Molly Morrissey, Emily Braund, Charlotte Pearce, Amy Cokayne, Carys Williams and Harriet Millar-Mills, with three conversions coming from the boot of Cokayne and one from Hannah Phillip.

Due to a motorway accident prior to the game, kick-off was pushed back half an hour and the away side’s preparations were disrupted.

Lichfield started with several players out of position, and captain Justine Lucas was proud of the mental strength of her squad to go in at halftime 17-0 ahead.

"As a squad, we showed huge character today,” she said. “Our match preparation was disrupted and changed, players who thought they were starting on the bench stepped in to start, which shows a great mentality.

“Players were played out of position or not in the position they expected and debutants stepped up.”

Saracens were also off to a flyer thanks to a 57-0 victory at home against Darlington Mowden Park Sharks.

Richmond will be hoping to reverse their fortunes with Worcester Valkyries visiting the Athletic Ground today.

The Valkyries head into the match on the back of an opening 27-6 defeat to Aylesford Bulls at Sixways thanks to three secondhalf tries from Davinia Monteiro, Ellisha Dee and Fiona Pocock .

Bristol were the first to make a winning start to their season with a 39-3 win at Wasps. The West Coutnry side scored six tries in total with new signing Marlie Packer helping herself to a brace.