Allianz Premier 15s: Worcester Warriors lose to Sale Sharks at Sixways

Warriors were playing at their home for the first time since the club went into administration back in September and it was a moment to savour for that fact alone but it was unfortunately not the result to match the occasion.

Tough result to take today but we would like to thank everyone for your incredible support! Credit goes to @SaleSharksWomen for such an amazing game! ⚔️ #WeAreWarriors #WarriorsFamily #WORvSAL pic.twitter.com/T4zTAQhHtE

— Worcester Warriors Women (@WorcsWarriorsW) November 27, 2022

Tries from Vicky Laflin, Deborah Fleming and Charlotte Wright Haley had given the hosts a commanding lead at the break but ill-discipline from the hosts stoked the fire for a dramatic comeback from the visitors.

Vicky Laflin of Worcester Warriors scores her sides first try (Image: JMP)

Jess Taylor Roberts darted over from a tap and go before Worcester's Nicholas was the first of two to be sent to the bin.

Centre Vicky Irwin flew over shortly afterwards to take full advantage, with Lizzie Duffy’s conversion levelling the scores at 17-17 heading into the final quarter.

Warriors were under the pump and were soon down to 13 when Laflin was shown yellow and Sale's summer signing Alycia Washington powered over in the corner within a minute against her old club to once more capitalise on their numerical advantage.

Duffy added an excellent touchline conversion to complete the fightback and seal a memorable win for the Sharks.

Georgie Perris-Redding of Sale Sharks celebrates at full time (Image: JMP)

"Firstly, I do have to say congratulations to Sale but from us, the detail was not good enough from us," said coach Sian Moore.

"It was a strange game, a real stop and start affair that did not have a great deal of momentum and a fair few injuries but for us the detail in our display just was not there.

"We have a short turnaround now before our trip to Exeter next Saturday. We will come in on Tuesday and do our reviews, there was plenty to learn from that and we will then turn our attentions to Sandy Park."

There were positives and a debut for Natalia John was one of them as she made her first appearance since her World Cup exploits with Wales in the last month.

Natalia John makes her Worcester Warriors debut (Image: JMP)

But even she was disappointed at the full-time whistle.

"It was great to be out there and the girls have been so welcoming but we are disappointed with the result," she said,

"We put some good things on the pitch today and we have shown we can gel at sometimes, it's just the little details that let us down.

"But the future looks positive and we are only going to keep building."