SCRUM-HALF Bianca Blackburn was voted Worcester Valkyries’ player of the month for October.

Blackburn was handed the award, chosen by the coaches, ahead of their 50-29 Women’s Premiership win over Richmond at Sixways.

Valkyries director of rugby Donna Kennedy said: “Bianca is an outstanding player within her own right and I believe she is playing the best rugby I have seen from her at present.

“She has matured as a player and is a key link within our team, driving and controlling our forwards and working well with our backline to allow us to play the way we want to.

“In my opinion, she is by far the best scrum-half within the Women’s Premiership at present.”

Blackburn said: “I’m proud to have been selected for this award and I’m going to work even harder to try to win it again during the season.”

Valkyries produced an impressive performance to secure an eight-try, bonus-point victory over Richmond.

First-half tries from Shona Powell-Hughes, Ceri Large, Alexia Mavroudis and a brace from Blackburn gave them a healthy 31-10 lead at the break.

A double from Samantha Bree and a second try for Large after the interval secured the win despite three late scores for Richmond.

Large converted five tries for Worcester.

Sian Hobday and Becky Ball scored in the first half for the visitors and Kiri Lose went over after Valkyries’ Sarah Davey was sin-binned for repetitive offences.

Claire Phelps and Emily Scott earned them a try bonus point. Abi Chamberlain kicked two conversions.

Valkyries picked up maximum points off the 2015-16 Women’s Premiership champions after September’s 31-15 away win.

Fourth-placed Worcester travel to leaders Bristol on Sunday (2pm), who lost for the first time in the league at the weekend to Aylesford Bulls in a 51-5 hammering.