WORCESTER RFC's Ladies continued their unbeaten record this season and put the disappointment of drawing the previous week behind them with a 25-17 win against Richmond at Sixways.

Richmond, renowned for their sheer physicality up-front, were left bewildered as Worcester took the Premiership game to them from the start.

After soaking up continuous pressure with direct running from flanker Katie White and Scotland international Donna Kennedy, Richmond gave away an early penalty that was converted by Alice Lovett.

Worcester then grabbed two quick tries in the opening half through White and Amber Penrith.

White found a gap to go over following a surge by Worcester's forwards as they put the ball behind Richmond's defence and forced mistakes.

From a well-worked line-out, Penrith, in the unfamiliar position of full-back, sprinted home unchallenged.

Richmond began to show what they were capable of with a number of rolling mauls in the Worcester '22' but were left with nothing for their hard work against determined opponents.

They were, however, awarded a penalty to bring the half-time score to 18-3.

The second-half saw Worcester begin with the same intensity as the first but Richmond began to capitalise on unforced errors.

This led to the first of their tries. A turn-over in the middle of the field produced an over-lap that was finished off by the winger.

And the second followed soon after with Richmond making the most of their pack weight advantage, giving ex-England player Teresa Andrews a solid platform to cross the line.

Richmond were within touching distance at 18-17 with 15 minutes to go but Worcester showed great resolve.

Prop Sam Dale turned over the ball five metres out to haul herself over the line to put the game beyond reach.

Worcester now face a tough couple of weeks, playing at Clifton on Sunday, with the next fixture at Sixways not until November. Meanwhile, the second XV won 13-0 at Hereford Greyhound.

n England women's head coach Geoff Richards has named his side to take on Samoa in their first test on tour in New Zealand.

Worcester's Jo Yapp leads the experienced team, with a hint of youth, against a side England have never played before on Saturday at the Ericsson Stadium in Auckland (6am).

Richards, whose side will also play New Zealand 'A' and two Tests against reigning world champions, the Black Ferns, over the next two weeks, has also included Worcester's Kim Shaylor on the wing.