Aylesford Bulls Ladies moves to the top of the league after an emphatic 34-0 win over Richmond at the weekend.

Aylesford Bulls ladies welcomed Richmond 2nd XV to the Jack Williams ground for the first ever meeting between the two teams, although the Bulls are very familiar with the Richmond club itself regularly playing their 3rd XV over the past few seasons racking up 27-12 (A) & 50-00 (H) victories on their way to promotion last season.

The Bulls kicked off in persistent rain, and immediately put pressure on Richmond as they struggled to break out of their half. Eventually the Bulls were awarded a penalty at the break down and fly half Maia Tua-Davidson found touch about 15 metres out in the 22. Hooker Jen Vik hit her jumper in the lineout and a driving maul was formed, from here the Bulls shunted Richmond back over their line for Vik to touch down in very similar fashion to the previous week after just 7 minutes.

For around the next 15 minutes both teams set up attacks but as time went on it was clear that the Bulls pack had far too much power for Richmond pushing their scum back at an alarming rate taking plenty of ball against the head. Following some more sustained pressure in the Richmond 22 after being held up over the line the Bulls were awarded a 5 metre scrum from which No.8 Catherine Spencer picked and drove the couple of metres over the line for the second score after 20 minutes.

Again the capable visitors came back strongly and camped in the Bulls 22 for a while. Following a clearance kick Richmond threw into a line out around the 10 metre line, 2nd row Jade Binskin-Barnes was able to catch the loose throw and make good ground all the way down to the 22 the Bulls recycled the ball a few times through quick rucks and were able to get in striking distance of the line, Binskin-Barnes made the final pick and was driven over with the help of Tua-Davidson for the third try on 33 minutes.

From the restart the Bulls made their way over half way using the effective pick and go and with players sucked in the ball was spun out to Tua-Davidson who threw a dummy, went through the gap and out paced the covering defence and went over under the posts for a great solo effort from 40 metres out. Flanker Liz Philp stepped up to add the conversion on the stroke of half time to give the Bulls a 22-00 half time lead.

After the break Richmond came out in a determined mood pressuring the Bulls in their own 22 for a period of time, however the Bulls repelled everything Richmond could throw at them and managed to make the vital turnovers. The Bulls replaced props Caroline Olwa and Siobhan Szecowka-Harte who had been immense throughout with Rebecca Schorah and Claire Phillips who took over where their team mates left off crippling Richmond in the scrums.

After the storm had been weathered the Bulls made their way back up field and piled the pressure back on the opposition in the 22, the crowd could sense the next score was not far away, on 55 minutes following some more powerful forward play the ball was spread down the line to veteran full back Sue French who came into the back line to create the extra player who crashed over from 5 metres out.

From the kick off the ball was returned up the field with interest to give the Bulls some good territory, again the forwards took control with some slick pick and drives, Claire Phillips showed her strength to pick and drive over under the posts from 5 metres out, Philp added the final points of the day. In the final quarter Richmond threw everything at the Bulls but it was all too little too late and the Bulls soaked up the pressure well. Eventually the Bulls were able to secure possession and put the ball out to give them a 34-00 victory.

Forward of the match went to ex-England captain Catherine Spenser who carried well throughout and was a calm head in poor playing conditions. Back of the match went to the returning Ema Vereivalu who answered an SOS to come in and play scrum half when the other two options were unavailable.

Team: French, Gray, Taylor, Rowe, Harwood, Tua-Davidson, Vereivalu, Olwa, Vik, Szecowka-Harte, Mayhew, Binskin-Barnes, Davies, Philp, Spencer.

Subs: Schorah, Phillips, Smith, Pettitt.