WORCESTER Ladies’ long journey north to play Darlington Mowden Park Sharks was rewarded with a handsome 30-3 victory in the RFUW Premiership.

Both teams were forced to make significant changes due to injuries and other commitments, which resulted in both line-ups showing players out of position.

Games between these clubs are traditionally close, exciting encounters and, in the first 10 minutes, Sharks threw everything at their visitors.

Sharks’ England international Tamara Taylor, who works in the Worcester Warriors community department, was a prominent ball-carrier in the early stages, backed up well by Georgia Roberts and Sarah Fergusson.

Having maintained composure in the early stages, Worcester began to play to their strengths with Joanne Watmore putting in an outstanding display at outside-centre.

Quick ball through the hands led to the visitors’ opening score when Lydia Thompson crossed the whitewash in the 18th minute.

Ten minutes later, impressive team-work put Kat Merchant clear to double Worcester’s lead to 10-0.

After the break, Worcester struggled with their discipline at the breakdown, which resulted in a penalty in front of posts. Sharks scrum-half Sam Jamieson, who usually plays hooker, split the uprights.

Despite the setback, the Worcester backs were playing some fine rugby with Watmore regularly breaking the line and off-loading, so it came as no surprise when Merchant crossed for her second and the team’s third try.

England winger Merchant then completed her hat-trick to secure a bonus point with 22 minutes of the game still to be played, before Thompson added her second try with a few minutes remaining.

Both teams deserve credit for the spirit and intensity in which the game was played.

Worcester will now no doubt relish the prospect of playing Saracens this weekend, despite their increasing injury list.