Sarries made to wait but see off Worcester
Saracens W ........ 43pts Worcester V .......... 7pts
SARACENS Women recorded their second win of the Premier 15s campaign, defeating Worcester Valkyries at Allianz Park.
The Valkyries conceded 29 tries to Saracens in their two matches last season, so it was an impressive display from them in the first half as they kept the home side frustrated with some disciplined rugby.
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 as the floodgates opened at Allianz Park – the home of both the Premiership and Premier 15s champions.
Fellow back rower Marlie Packer crossed prior to the break and skipper Lotte Clapp made sure of the bonus point before Cleall completed her hattrick with a barnstorming carry off a lineout.
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 as Saracens’ international quality finally shone through as the match progressed.
No.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 run out of gas chasing them around the park.
They pulled one back through O’Donnell with 15 minutes remaining, but great hands set Lingham away and Vistisen wrapped things up in the dying embers to complete an impressive home win.