DMP Sharks v Bristol Ladies

Review

DMP Sharks welcomed Bristol Ladies to The Northern Echo Arena on Sunday 18^th October.  A very vocal home crowd settled in in anticipation of a fast flowing game of rugby.  They were not to be disappointed!

At 1.30 pm DMP got the game underway, the first five minutes saw both teams finding their way as their well drilled defensive systems held firm.

Bristol began to build pressure as  they went patiently through the phases, strong forward play  saw them gain great ground then quick ball through the backs saw Bristol’s Amber Reed over the line on 10 minutes not converted leaving the score DMP 0 Bristol 5.

Sharks responded well with some possession of their own going through the phases Bristol competed well at the breakdown winning possession and clearing their lines.

The game continued in the same vein with both teams trying to get the upper hand but being thwarted by each other’s commitment and work rate.

The game couldn’t continue at the same frenetic pace something had to give and it did on 26 minutes when great work from the DMP forwards got them deep into Bristol territory, a miss pass by La Toya Mason to Rachael Woosey, quick hands out to full back Emma Harbage who raced ahead she handed off the cover tackle to score in the left hand corner leaving the score DMP 5 Bristol 5.

As expected the Bristol ladies responded and upped their work rate increasing the pressure on the excellent DMP defence which held firm until a change of tactic and a clever kick through from Bristol turned the DMP defence.  The chase back was good but the ball bounced unkindly and a great chase by Bristol’s Chantelle Miell saw her touch the ball down over the line not converted leaving the score on 33 minutes DMP 5 Bristol 10.

Bristol’s ladies tails were up and they secured the ball from the kick off passing it quickly through the hands to Tilly Vaughan-fowler who showed great pace to race between two DMP defenders and run the length of the pitch to score under the post converted leaving the score on 36 minutes DMP 5 Bristol 17.

Some strong phases of possession saw DMP working their way deep into Bristol’s territory.  Quick ball from scrumhalf  La Toya Mason to her half back partner Rebecca Scholes stretched the defence to create a superb inside ball for Heather Kerr who powered over the line for her first premiership try.  Half time score; DMP 10 Bristol 17.

Bristol got the second half under way. DMP’s Fi Davidson gathered the ball a quickly passed out to Emma Harbage who raced race deep into Bristol’s half the support was late getting to her and Bristol turned the ball over but great work by Abbie Scott won it back for DMP,  Scrum half La Toya Mason’s quick pass out to Fly half Rebecca Scholes saw her draw the Bristol defender passing off to Linzi Taylor who scored wide out on the left hand side not converted leaving the score on 45 minutes DMP 15 Bristol 17.

Bristol showed what a resilient outfit they are as they responded again with quick hands through the backs  which saw the fleet footed  Katie Mason score out wide in the left hand corner not converted leaving the score on 49 minutes DMP 15 Bristol 22.

Bristol’s tails were up clever substitutions by the Bristol coaching team saw fresh legs on when required which saw additional pressure on the hardworking DMP defence. Pressure told when DMPs Linzi Taylor was sin binned for not rolling away.

Bristol made the extra player count on the 52nd minute when Bristol’s substitute Sarah Bern powered over the line to score not converted leaving the score DMP 15 Bristol 27.

DMP team fought hard to get back in the game and their never say die attitude was much in evidence when DMPs Fi Davidson got her hands on the ball a quick pass to Rachael Woosey who sprinted from the half way line turning on the after burners to outpace Bristol’s defence a great handoff dealt with the cover tackle and saw her over the line on 60 minutes leaving the score DMP 20 Bristol 27.

DMP threw everything at Bristol who showed great organisation in defence to keep DMP at bay, on 70 minutes Bristol earned a line out on DMP’s five metre line  it was secured, the ball was worked out to  Bristol’s Sarah Bern who powered over to score her second try not converted leaving the score DMP 20 Bristol 32.

DMP responded again through Fi Davidson who raced up the right hand side of the pitch and showing great pace chased her own kick through and won a penalty at the ensuing breakdown. DMP decided  to quick tap  but unfortunately lost possession which ended the game leaving the final scores DMP  20 Bristol 32

Back of the match- Emma Harbage

Forward of the match Zoe Aldcroft