WORCESTER Valkyries were beaten 15-5 in their pre-season encounter with Aylesford Bulls at Droitwich.

In a game played in four quarters with various players given game-time, Valkyries took the lead early on when Bianca Blackburn claimed a fine individual try.

But a brace for Chantelle Miller and one try for Fiona Pocock saw the visitors run out winners ahead of the reunion of the two sides in the first game of the new Women's Premiership season on Saturday, September 10, at Sixways (2pm).

Valkyries fielded a mixed side of youth and experience against a strong Aylesford outfit, who recently had an influx of new coaching staff and players.

The hosts began the better side, breaking tackles, winning rucks and running well with the ball.

This was rewarded with an early try following good work from Megan Goddard, who fooled the Bulls defence with a dummy pass that allowed her to run into Aylesford’s half.

The ball was offloaded out to Blackburn, who surged into the 22 and broke two tackles to dive over the whitewash.

But Aylesford responded quickly to level following a penalty and five-metre scrum, which the visitors shipped wide for Pocock to dive over in the corner.

Valkyries’ Zoe Bennion proved difficult to deal with and again surged forward after great hands from Ceri Large but the ball was lost forward in the slippery conditions.

England international Large continued to impress with a number of runs breaking the line and exploiting gaps.

However, with half-time looming, Aylesford took the lead with their second try against the run of play.

Bulls won a penalty and the ball was moved swiftly from the halfway line with Miller escaping a last-ditch tackle to get over the line.

Valkyries director of rugby Donna Kennedy brought on young replacements Charlie Clark, Amy Wiggley and Charlie Burn, who all impressed.

But sustained pressure could not be converted into points and Aylesford’s Miller scored her second in the corner when a line-out in the Valkyries half led to a quick offload from Pocock.