Report: Saracens Women 53-7 Bristol Bears Women

What Happened? 

Saracens got off to a blistering start in the capital and punished the Bears’ early ill-discipline as Zoe Harrison kicked to the corner in the second minute.

The well-oiled Saracens driving maul punished the visitors as May Campbell dropped over the chalk to put the hosts in the driving seat.

Bristol Bears hit back with the perfect counterpunch as Courtney Keight expertly intercepted in her own twenty-two before pinning her ears back to finish from 70 metres out. Following Snowsill’s conversion, Bristol Bears were ahead against the run of play.

That in mind, Saracens turned up the heat. Slick handling from the hosts allowed Emma Uren to dive over in the corner, before Sophie De Goede’s ranging score saw the Saracens open up an eight-point cushion.

Bristol Bears went close as they set up a driving maul five metres from the Saracens’ line, but their best effort was thwarted by a stubborn Saracens defence, who held the ball in the maul to force a turnover.

Three tries in the final ten minutes of the half from Poppy Cleall, Emma Uren and Rochelle Clark saw the hosts take a 34-7 lead into the sheds.

Saracens picked up where they left off in the second half and twice crossed in the opening exchanges. 

First, May Campbell rumbled over for her second of the afternoon followed soon after by Zoe Harrison, who snuck over in the corner.

As the second half progressed the hosts continued to come in waves searching for another score.

A mammoth defensive set from the Bears saw them withstand a ten-minute period of try line pressure with Courtney Keight’s interception again being the outlet for Bristol.

May Campbell sealed her hat-trick late on as she burrowed her way over the line in the closing stages to round of a 53-7 victory for Saracens.

Teams: 

Saracens Women: 15. Sarah Mckenna, 14. Emma Uren, 13. Alisha Corrigan, 12. Lisa Martin, 11. Lotte Clapp, 10. Zoe Harrison, 9. Emma Swords
1. Rocky Clark, 2. May Campbell, 3. Donna Rose, 4. Rosie Galligann 5. Taylor, 6. Sophie De Goede, 7. Marlie Packer, 8. Poppy Cleall

Replacements: 16. Sonia Green, 17. Tamara Taylor, 18. Kelsey Clifford, 19. Georgia Evans, 20. Vicky Fleetwood, 21. Eloise Hayword, 22. Cara Wardle, 23. Rachel Laqeretabua

Bristol Bears Women: 15. Lauren Smyth, 14. Jasmine Joyce, 13. Phoebe Murray, 12. Gemma Rowland, 11. Courtney Keight, 10. Elinor Snowsill, 9. Lucy Burgess; 1. Holly Phillips, 2. Clara Nielson ©, 3. Ellie Mulhearn, 4. Hollie Cunningham, 5. Marlo Boyd, 6. Jenny Herring, 7. Manon Johnes, 8. Alice Lockwood

Impact Players: 16. Abbie Parsons, 17. Sophie Phillips, 18. Stef Evans, 19. Delany Burns, 20. Isobelle Eyres, 21. Rhi Parker, 22. Chelsea Jones, 23. Kyara Martin