In-form Quins run riot at struggling Valkyries

HARLEQUINS comfortably beat Worcester Valkyries to win in successive rounds for the first time this season.

The travelling fans at Sixways didn’t have long to wait before being entertained as Quins ran in four tries in the first 15 minutes.

Lucy Packer exploited Valkyries out wide before Leanne Riley bagged her brace after a counter-attack and then picking and going from a scrum.

Quins further extended their lead through Jade Mullen who gathered a smart cross-field kick to touch down in the corner.

Valkyries threatened to get back into the game soon after as quick thinking saw them break up the pitch at great speed from a tapped penalty.

Receiving the ball as she arrived in the 22, Meg Varley side-stepped a couple of challenges before forcing her way over.

The visitors were next to flex their muscle as two typical forwards’ tries followed with Shaunagh Brown and Leah Lyons powering over.

The visitors began the second half with another set of quickfire tries as Brown dotted down for her second and Heather Cowell crossed in the corner.

Valkyries hit back with two quickfire tries of their own and both came off the back of strong scrums with Zoe Bennion and Charlie Wilcock scoring from pickand-goes.

Just after the hour mark though, Quins regain control as Emily Scott went in under the posts after bursting through the Valkyries backline and they completed the scoring with another quick double as Kristine Sommer and Sarah Cornforth rounded off a couple of counter-attacks.