Last Saturday Sale Sharks Women headed down to Shaftesbury Park to face Bristol Bears women in the Premier 15’s.
Both teams were coming into this game with a point to prove as they both faced losses the following weekend, but Bristol were the ones to return to winning ways as they scored 8 tries to secure a bonus point win.
Bristol Claire Molloy broke the Sharks defence in the opening minutes to set up their opening try by Keira Bevan. Bristol used this first try to build momentum which enabled Bristol’s outside centre, Phoebe Murry to find a gap through Sharks defence to get Bevan’s second of the game.
Sale needed to respond to Bristol’s run, and they look to work the ball into Bristol’s half. It wasn’t long until the Shark’s pressure was too strong to hold off and Alycia Washington to drive over the line, with the extra points secured by Lizzie Duffy.
Sharks looks to build on this momentum however an error at the restart allowed the Bears to extend their lead almost immediately as Phoebe Murray successfully regather the ball to secure Bristol’s third in the corner.
Within the last 10 minutes of the opening half, Bristol claims another two tries coming from their hooker Lark Davies and winger Amy Coles to half time score to be 29-7 to the Bears.
Sharks look to close the gap in the second half and co-captain Georgie Perris-Redding goes alone and crashes through the Bristol defence to run in over the line and allow Lizzie Duffy to secure the extra points. With the point gap closing Sale are on the hunt for more points but Bears exert dominance in defence and do well to stop Sharks going over.
Although Sale withholds most of the possession, they couldn’t convert their heroic determination to points. Bristol take advantage of this and score two more in the second half, by Davies and Reed.
Despite the score Sharks continue to hold great possession in the second half and Vicky A Irwin goes over to score Sale’s third. However, Bristol cash out on their possession and go over the line for their eighth of the match.
Sale Sharks women are back at The CorpAcq Stadium Sunday 22nd January as they face Wasps. All Sale Sharks season ticket holders and U16s get in for free, we need you in full force in Sharks Family.
