December 23rd saw a long journey for the Bristol Bears as they travelled to North London. The match time was moved to accommodate the TV, a positive for the Women’s game. Bristol brought Hannah Botterman and Holly Aitchison back to Saracens with them.
A poor line out throw by Bristol saw the ball go long and to Saracens hands, Saracens got the ball out wide and eventually into the hands of Jess Breach, who showed her power to get over the line. the conversion missed.
Bristol won a penalty in the next run of play, Aitchison put a good kick in, and another penalty was conceded in the maul. The next maul went over for Lark Atkin Davis in control of the ball. Aitchison missed the conversion.
Bristol had a good opportunity when they’re 5???? Intercepted a pass from the Saracens Amelia McDougal Another penalty gave Bristol possession in the Saracens 22, another added in and they had another line out close to the 5 metre line. Bristol scored after a kick through, No 13???? Scoring, they’d been playing with another penalty on offer. No joy on the conversion.
The penalty count was adding up against Saracens and they totted up another in the Bristol half allowing them to clear their lines. Saracens came up with the ball however after the ball was thrown long again.
Bristol were held up twice after first a penalty then a mistake kicking out from the first goal line drop out gave them good territory. Saracens must’ve been relieved to be awarded a penalty, but the kick didn’t make touch, a schoolgirl kind of error that one.
Saracens won a penalty in a scrum to the joy of the home fans, touch was found this time happily. On this occasion Bristol took the ball at the line out, then Saracens gave away another penalty.
Bristol threw the ball too long for the 4th time. a Bristol high tackle was penalised allowing Saracens a line out deep in Bristol’s half. Saracens were awarded a penalty as the maul was pulled down. They lost the ball forwards in the maul however. The teams went in at half time with the score on Saracens 5 Bristol Bears 10.
The 2nd half started with some promise for Saracens but they failed to capitalise, giving away another penalty close to the Bristol line. Bristol gave away a penalty in the resulting line out.
Rosie Galligan touched down for Saracens after Bristol failed the clear the ball, she touched down just in time. However the officials saw that differently and the try was wiped off. I’d say the ball was knocked on in the tackle that saw the ball go loose.
Saracens had a good opportunity after bringing awarded a penalty for offside. Marlie Packer, the Saracens captain rolled over the line to score from the next maul. The conversion went wide. The score was 10 apiece.
Sophie de Goode took matters into her own hands, running round several Bristol defenders to score a great individual try, the wind wasn’t helping any of the kickers and this was another conversion that went wide.
Saracens had a try ruled out for a foot on the line but were playing with a penalty in their pocket. They rolled over the line from the resulting line out, May Campbell being in possession. The conversion hit the left post this time.
Donna Rose went down and stayed down with 8 minutes remaining, it was good to see herenter the fray again, for the next scrum. Poppy Cleall came away with the ball but the referee blew for a Saracens penalty. Cleall rose salmon like to claim the ball and the maul rolled over with Packer in possession of the ball for her second try. A right hand side of the posts miss for the extras.
Saracens had the last word with a try for Correen Grant out on her wing, the forwards had a couple of attempts before the ball was spun out. The kick was out of the touch line but sailed through the posts! Number 6 Sophie de Goode was successful at last! And declared Player of the Match. The final score was Saracens 32 Bristol Bears 10z
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