Report: Bristol Ladies 8-17 Aylesford Bulls

The game got off to frantic start with Aylesford securing early possession. A scrum within the opening minutes set the platform for the resulting attack, which saw some slick handling and quick ball produce a try for Hannah Field. The try was converted from in front of the posts by Jessica Wooden to make it 7-0 to Aylesford.

After an extended period of pressure and possession, Bristol forced a penalty on the 22-metre line. Amber Reed (sponsored by Colston’s School) stepped up and slotted it through the posts, which made it 7-3 to Aylesford after 10 minutes.

An error strewn passage of play was to follow, with the lion’s share of possession held in midfield with neither side able to get over the game line. Leanne Riley’s clever box kick pinned Bristol down in their 22. They cleared their lines, however an Aylesford counter attack enable Michela Sillari to run in to the corner. The conversion was missed by Wooden, which kept the score at 12-3 after 20 minutes.

The next 20 minutes of the first-half saw possession exchange between both teams, both defences stood firm and much of the game was played in the midfield once again. Bristol showed some promise in attack at times, but they lacked the clinical pass to convert the chances they created. It was a physical encounter and both sides weren’t relenting.

The teams went in at the break with Aylesford leading 12-3.

The opening exchanges of the second-half were as tight as the period before half-time.

An excellent line break from Elinor Snowsill (sponsored by 17 Management) put Bristol on the front foot. From the resulting penalty, Danielle Waterman (sponsored by BPro Fitness) took a quick tap and set the platform for the ball to be spun wide to Chantelle Miell (sponsored by Dambusters Rugby) who shrugged off three Aylesford defenders to dive over in the corner on 54 minutes. Amber Reed (Colston’s School) couldn’t convert, which made the score 12-8 to Aylesford after 56 minutes.

From the kick-off, Bristol had the ascendancy and as she had done all day, Sarah Bern (sponsored by Fifth Consultancy) made a barnstorming run into the Aylesford 22, only to be blown up for holding on.

After a passage of positive phase play from Aylesford, they set up an attack in the Bristol 22. The ball was fed wide to Sillari for her second try of the game. Wooden couldn’t convert out wide, which left the score at 17-8 after 66 minutes.

Final score: Aylesford 17 – Bristol Ladies 8.