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SSgt Sarah Mitchelson (RLC) scored Wasps’ fifth try at the weekend as the west London outfit maintained the pressure on the top two teams in the Premier 15s.

SSgt Mitchelson showed deft footwork from 10 metres out to cross with three minutes remaining, putting the gloss onto a 40-3 win over Worcester at Twyford Avenue.

Worcester’s three points came from the tee early in the contest and put them into the lead. But after that it was all Wasps, scoring two converted tries before the break and then crossing the line three more times in the second half.

The victory extended Wasps’ winning run to five and sees them six points off Saracens and Harlequins.

The London rivals are now tied on 40 points thanks to Quins’ 7-6 loss away to Exeter Chiefs. Bdr Bethan Dainton (Royal Artillery) and Capt Alexandra Eddie (QARANC) were in the squad as the travellers lost their 100 percent record at the same venue where Saracens had been downed in January.

Exeter scored a converted try early on, and while Quins piled on the pressure for long periods the hosts’ defence held firm and the chase for the top spot continues for another week.

In the Premiership both Army Senior Men came on the wrong side of their respective results.

On Friday night Pte Ratu ‘Siva’ Naulago (Yorks) and his Bristol teammates found the going tough against a Sale side which showed determination in defence and a good finishing touch at Ashton Gate.

Bristol were just not able to get going thanks to the northerners’ rush defence and physicality, but even so with five minutes to play they were a point ahead.

But Sale scored with a try three minutes from time and then added a last-gasp penalty to head home from Ashton Gate 20-13 victors.

Staying in the west country, Saturday afternoon saw Bath’s poor run continue at the Recreation Ground. LCpl Semesa Rokoduguni (Scots DG) returned to the team, but despite making the break which set up the position from which Bath scored their first try it was not a good outing for the blue, black and whites, who were down 21-3 to Harlequins inside the opening 30 minutes.

Bath did gain some respectability on the score board in the second half, winning that period 12-7, but the 28-15 loss means that they are yet to win since early December, with a daunting trip to Sale next weekend.

Elsewhere the RFU Championship fixtures have been announced today (Monday, February 8th), and there will be an Army head-to-head in the opening round, with Gunner Senitiki Nayalo’s (7 Para RHA) Coventry hosting a Bedford team which could include Cpl Lewis Bean (Rifles) in their squad, the second rower having been loaned to the Blues from Northampton for the campaign.

Lt Giles Bromley-Martin (IG) and his Richmond team mates return to the Championship following promotion last season with a trip to Hartpury.

All these fixtures will be played on the weekend of March 6-7.

Words © Chris Wearmouth, Images © Neil Kennedy

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