Saracens Amateur RFC Limited

Saracens left it late to get the bonus point win against Worcester, when winger Sally Tuson scored in the final play of the game to take the final score to 29-5.

Saracens started very impressively with big runs from their centres Hannah Cassey and Hannah Gallagher. Eventually following successive drives, Maggie Alphonsi dotted down. McKenna hitting the post the with the conversion. Worcester got back in to the game and became very competitive in the tackle area. As the conditions worsened, the errors mounted for both teams, however, it was Worcester who kept the pressure on the home side and really showed a workman like spirit in their defence. Further useful defensive work from Lydia Thompson made way for a grateful Karen Jones, the lively Worcester 8, to pick up a loose ball and finish very well in the far right corner to equal the score a five a piece.

The game continued end to end with both fly halves, Sarah Mckenna and Ceri Large opting for territory with kicks in pretty dreadful weather. A loose lineout ball in the Worcester 22m fell to Mckenna, who ducked and dived and finished impressively to take her side to a 10-5 advantage at the half time.

Worcester came out into the second half that little bit more lively and continued to battle the breakdown area. However, against the run of play and some fine work from Alphonsi, Leith and Craddock driving Saracens forward, Hannah Gallagher stormed on to a short ball and battled over the line with an impressive finish. McKenna converted and Saracens edged ahead 17-5.

The game was fought much in the middle half of the pitch in a game where no momentum for either team seemed possible. Worcester's full back Steph Johnson looked sharp at times with some mazy runs, however nothing seemed to ignite this middle half of the game. Saracens again worked their way down field and this time hooker Geri Thomas, who carried well throughout the game, barged over from close range. McKenna again good with the extra two points. 24-5.

Saracens were keen to chase the much needed bonus point, however Worcester had different ideas. Led by the ever present Ceri Large and Lisa Campbell, they marched downfield. The excellent Hannah Gallagher won the turnover penalty and knowing they had no time left they opted to run. A wonderful team try from their own goal line saw the ball interchanged between the hands of the back row trio of Cleall, Gallagher and Alphonsi, who made the final pass to Sally Tuson, who shrugged the last ditch tackle to score in the corner and take the game to 29-5 with no time left to play. In a competitive match played in hard conditions both teams will take a lot of positives from this fixture.

Video by Neil Kennedy (author)
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Photos by Elaine Peedle