Sharks opened the scoring just 5mins into the game when some slick offloading sent Tamara Taylor charging into the Aylesford 22”, a quick dummy was enough to throw off the defence and Taylor dove over the line. This was the start of a bright half of rugby for Sharks are the teams began to trade heavy blows. Sharks dominated the majority of the set piece action, pressuring Aylesford in defence and laying a solid foundation for the Sharks attack. Despite this progress it was some Sharks indiscipline that gave Aylesford good field position eventually leading their first score. Undeterred, Sharks fought back and solid work from the Sharks back row of Anna Wolf, Juliet Short and Jo Brown created fantastic go forward along with the relentless defence of the Sharks backline lead by centre Linzi Taylor. Again indiscipline led to the next score when winger Mackenzie Thomas was sin binned for a deliberate knock on in the Sharks 22”. Aylesford took advantage quickly and scored out wide on the stroke of half time to finish the half 10-5.

Very much a game of two halves, Aylesford started the second half in powerful fashion making life very difficult for the Sharks. Key changes in the Aylesford backline made an instant impact and saw Sharks under pressure with the ball being played out wide effectively. This was a turning point in the game and Sharks struggled to live with the pace and accuracy of the Aylesford attack. This, combined with some Sharks indiscipline saw Aylesford score 3 tries in the first 20 minutes of the second half. Sharks rang the changes which brought in Tarin Arndt (prop) and Reece Kneafsey (wing) for their first Sharks appearances in the Premiership! Fresh legs helped to solidify the Sharks scrum but was not enough to thwart the Aylesford wide attack. Another 3 tries put the game to bed leaving the final score 43-5.

Congratulations to Sharks player of the match: Jo Brown (8)

Sharks next game will be played at Kingston Park v Bristol on Saturday 8th October KO 11:45am. The game will be followed by Newcastle Falcons v Bristol and girls rugby camp for u13 to u18 players. For more information and to book please go to: www.rugbycamps.co.uk/newcastle-falcons
Match Day Sponsorship available more info from sharksloverugby@hotmail.com