Local rivals Lichfied 2nd team are top of the table contenders and Worcester Ladies 2nd team suffered a heavy defeat when they last played them. The ladies were looking to overturn that result having now settled well into their new league.

The game started with Worcester receiving the kick off and being put under pressure by the Lichfield defence. The early game nerves from both teams saw a couple of handling errors, and an offside penalty from Lichfield taken quickly by Darel Poole resulted in Worcester making their way into the Lichfield half. Worcester retained the ball and the resulting phases saw the ladies edge ever nearer to the try line. Worcester were awarded a scrum 5 metres out which gave Darel the space to crash over and convert her own try.
From the restart Lichfield piled on the pressure and the clearance kick was scooped up by their full back who cut through the defensive line to score in the corner. Their full back showed her pace again when the scrum after the restart went Lichfields way and she cut an impressive line to follow up with her second try in a matter of minutes.
The next phases of play were evenly contested with both teams looking strong in defence and dangerous in attack. It was indiscipline around the breakdown from Lichfield which allowed the Worcester attack to make inroads into their territory. But a penalty against Worcester allowed them to clear their lines. They made their way back into Worcesters half from the lineout, and continued pressure saw them edge closer to the line. A free kick was given 5 metres from the Worcester line which allowed Lichfield the opportunity to go quickly and exploit the gaps with their 2nd row going over to score (converted).
Worcester replied quickly with good pressure in defence forcing a penalty which Darel took quickly and looked to send the ball out wide. The resulting phases gave enough space for flanker Megan Lavill to go over to score (converted).
Worcester put themselves under pressure by failing to collect the restart and the ball went for a lineout 7 metres from the try line. Lichfield looked to maul the ball over but Anna Macdonnell stole it and won the ball back giving Worcester the scrum and an opportunity to clear.

Half time Worcester 14, Lichfield 17

Worcester put the pressure on from the restart and a quick tap penalty gave Darel Poole another opportunity to break the gain line. Subsequent strong runs from Lizzy Binks and Helen Sherriff kept the pressure on, and strong scrummaging kept Worcester the ball and subsequently Anna Macdonnell went over the line to score (converted by Darel Poole).
After the restart, a penalty gave Worcester a lineout in Lichfields 22. Thrown to the back of the lineout Worcester again made good ground, and the pressure resulted in a penalty. Worcester went for posts and another 3 points were added to the tally.
Worcester continued to press back into the Lichfield 22, but a penalty was given for bringing down the maul and Lichfield cleared their lines. Lichfield retained possession and made good ground with their offloading out of the contact making Worcester have to defend hard to keep them at bay.
Worcester put pressure on the Lichfield lineout and won the ball. Centre Darel broke the gain line and handed to ball to Lizzy Binks who made inroads into the Lichfied 22. The resulting phases again resulted in a penalty being awarded to Worcester which was taken quickly and Anna Macdonnell went over to score her second (not converted).
Lichfield rallied and put pressure on Worcester from the next restart. They won a lineout in the Worcester half and made massive inroads into the Worcester defence. After a few phases their full back was given the ball in midfield and took advantage of a mismatch and sped into the Worcester 22. Great cover tackling from Beth O’Brien being the reason she didn’t score. Worcester managed to clear their lines but the Lichfield pressure gave them another lineout in the Worcester half, and their scrum half was able to take advantage of a gap in the Worcester defence to go over the line.
Worcester put on the pressure after the restart and found themselves again in the Lichfield 22. The continued pressure forced an error and penalty which Darel Poole converted into 3 points.
Lichfield regained possession of the ball and put together some good phases of play. This forced an infringement from Worcester which allowed the Lichfield forwards to take advantage of a quick tap penalty and make inroads into the Worcester half. Continuous phases created spaces out wide for the Lichfield attack. Their number 8 made good ground and offloaded the ball which made its way to their full back who went over to score her hat trick, which she converted.
After the restart Lichfield put together some phases, and looked set to develop another scoring play, but an intercept from centre Lizzy Binks saw Worcester make a counter attack to the Lichfield 22. Worcester were awarded another penalty which Darel Poole converted into the final 3 points of the game.
Final score Worcester 35, Lichfield 29