Sharks fail to take chances in Bristol defeat

A TIGHT game saw Bristol record their fourth win of the season, overcoming a spirited Darlington Mowden Park Sharks side.

Bristol opened the scoring inside the first five minutes through outside centre Lagi Tuima. The Red Rose pounced on a loose pass in the Sharks midfield to cross under the posts. Amber Reed added the extras, handing the visitors the perfect start.

Sustained pressure from the hosts drew a series of penalties, but the Sharks struggled to capitalise, missing touch twice in the Bristol red zone.

Katy Daley-McLean got the Sharks on the board with a penalty in the 16th minute. After an end-to-end period, Bristol showed their collective strength to power over from a rolling maul.

They added a third try shortly after, with Tuima diving on another loose ball for her second. Reed added her second conversion to give the visitors a 16-point lead at half-time.

The second period saw much more possession and territory for the home side, but once again they struggled to convert their pressure to points.

Some bright attacking play almost gave DMP their first try, but Bristol’s defence held firm despite a number of phases metres from their line, and the second half remained scoreless until Sydney Gregson secured the bonus point with a well-worked try. Reed converted well.

The home side would have felt unlucky not to have converted their pressure into tries, but the visitors were good value for their win.

The Sharks travel to Gloucester-Hartpury next week.