Senior Cup Round Up
Over the last few weeks Bristol Ladies have been involved in the Senior Cup competition - an opportunity for 1st and 2nd XV players to play together whilst many of the international players were playing in the Women's Six Nations.
The competition started with pool stages, with Bristol drawn against Firwood Waterloo, Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, Richmond and Worcester.
Waterloo won the Championship league (the league below the Premiership) so we were expecting a competitive game. Whilst Waterloo started well slotting a penalty and getting 3 points on the board within the first 15 minutes, Bristol were too strong, and put 9 tries passed the visitors, in a game that ended 57 - 3.
The week after the girls travelled to DMP Sharks, looking to keep their cup campaign alive with another victory and whilst Bristol were 12 - 10 ahead at half time, the Sharks proved too strong, using home advantage to win the second half battle and come away with a 25 - 12 win.
The next round saw Bristol travel to league winners Richmond Ladies in what was always going to be a tough fixture. The girls played well, with a lot of heart which gave them a 12 - 0 lead after 20 minutes - however the experience of Richmond came into play as they stepped up the pressure and Bristol got a yellow card for an infringement at the breakdown. The final score ended 29 - 12 to Richmond.
At the point, the option of winning the senior cup had disappeared, so the focus shifted to the Plate - meaning we had to beat Worcester to reach the semi-final of the competition.
Our original fixture against Worcester was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, so the game was played at Filton SGS College on a rainy Tuesday evening. The mid-week clash saw the weather have a huge impact on the game, with hail making passing the ball and kicks a harder than normal task - with accuracy being the main problem for both sides. Finally, Bristol's determination paid off, with the girls claiming victory, 22 - 3. The next stage was the semi-final against Lichfield.
Last weekend saw Bristol Ladies secure their place in the final for the Plate, after we beat Lichfield Ladies at home. In an entertaining fixture which saw Elinor Snowsill score a hat-trick, both sides fought hard and played an exciting style of rugby - great for spectators and players alike. The final score was 43 - 26, sending us through to the final.
This is to be played on the 23rd April, and a neutral ground - Lichfield Ladies, where Bristol face none other than West Country rivals Worcester. After Worcester claimed the final play off spot of the league in the final game of the season by beating Bristol, the rivalry between the two teams has grown. It's sure to be a great game - with both teams fighting for the Plate in the last game of the Women's rugby season.
Photographs by Rikki Teml.
