Bath Ladies faced Saracens Ladies II on Sunday 14th April at Bramley Sports Ground, Southgate, in the Women’s Championship South I.
The match began with both teams trading early penalties. Bath Ladies then built a period of great attacking pressure in the opening ten minutes, with a prolonged position in the home-side’s 22 and a missed drop-goal attempt which came from a strong scrum from the Bath pack.
Bath were rewarded for their sustained pressure at the fifteen minute mark when Saracens were penalised thirty metres from their try line for playing the ball on the floor. Fly half Sarah Holloway neatly slotted the penalty to give the visitors an early lead, 0-3.
A first try came at 21 minutes, after some brave defence from Bath Ladies pushed Saracens to the outer limits of the pitch before the home side crossed in the corner to make it 5-3. Bath continued to defend well and were competitive in the set piece, providing a good platform for fly-half Holloway’s kicks to find space behind Saracens on a number of occasions.
However, Saracens demonstrated effective attacking play against a well-organised Bath Ladies side, adding two further scores in the first half to lead 19-3 at the break.
At the start of the second half, Bath Ladies put significant pressure on the home side, forcing a number of errors and earning five penalties in the first ten minutes.
At 53 minutes, Saracens added their first points of the second half, the initial line-break covered well by some great scramble defence from Bath Ladies, before Saracens reorganised and once again crossed in the corner. A further Saracens try at 62 minutes saw the score at 31-3.
Nearing 70 minutes, Bath Ladies put the ball quickly through the hands to create some space for number eight Caryl Thomas who made hard yards into the opposition’s 22, before Saracens gained quick turnover ball to make 50 metres and add another try to the scorecard, converted to bring the score to 38-3. Further tries from Saracens came at 73’ and 77’.
The final few minutes saw an encouraging attack from Bath Ladies, who put substantial pressure on the Saracens’ defence. A last effort fell just short with Bath wing Amber Daum shepherded into touch five metres from Saracens’ tryline. The final score was 52-3.
Matchday honours went to Saracens Ladies II captain, who played her part in an effective back line performance and scored a well-taken hat-trick, and Bath Ladies centre Emily Sherwood, for a tireless performance both in defence and attack.
Bath Ladies now look to build on a series of improved performances in their final game of the season on Sunday 21st April, when they will face Wasps Ladies at Lambridge.
NOW Bath is a sponsor of the Bath Rugby Ladies team and we wish them the best in their upcoming matches.