Source: Bruce Perkins

A Quite Dazzling Game of Rugby – Tyrrells Round 9

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Quins versus Sarries

The Stoop offered a club game that might go down as the most extravagantly exciting and talent-ridden ever seen in women’s rugby in England. Neither side was at full strength, but the crowd of over a thousand would never have guessed it from the performances laid before them.

In the first half Quins laid on a demonstration of organised penetrative rugby to confirm my belief that they would walk off with the title this season. From the start they knocked the title-holders back on their heels. Giada Franco, Sarah Beckett (in the second row today in Abbie Scott’s continued absence) and especially Shaunagh Brown kept hammering painful holes in the Sarries’ defence. When Lucy Packer sent the ball wide Emily Scott offered a range of telling options to drive the attack forward. We had angled kicks, switches back to the blind-side and quick spreads to the midfield where Rachael Burford was back to ensure maximum profit. Only four minutes in Brown completed a textbook catch and drive from a line-out.

Another four minutes and Scott produced a brilliant run of 40-50 metres against the grain to win a penalty. From the ensuing line-out, Scott offered a grubber to the posts that Burford couldn’t refuse.

It took Sarries an age to put a move together, but it ended too soon as the skipper knocked on. Things got far worse as Poppy Cleall was shown a yellow as Sarries came under severe pressure again. Quins opted for a scrum – not an easy three points – and were rewarded when Anna Caplice drove over on the left after defenders just managed to stop Jess Breach in her tracks.

That was 17 points in 19 minutes!

The bonus point was achieved with one of the most glorious runs we have seen all season. Chloe Rollie took the ball on the far left, outpaced her immediate opposition then accelerated even more, swinging infield to beat the remaining defenders. When you see her and Rhona Lloyd scoring such breathtaking tries on the same afternoon, you have to wonder why Scotland can’t score more points and win more matches.

What may prove to have been the decisive few moments of the game came just before the referee reached for his half-time cuppa.

Sarries advanced menacingly for the first time and Marlie Packer gave everyone on the ground a sharp reminder that she was present.

Half-time 24-7

It’s safe to say this was the very first time in Tyrrell’s history that Sarries had come under such sustained pressure. They’d conceded four tries inside 25 minutes, despite having the best defensive record in the League – hence their ongoing success.

How would they react to this pounding?

Answer: they produced an utterly remarkable display of restoring order. Quins’ dominance at close quarters wilted as Sarries got their pack moving forward to offer the backs more room for manoeuvre.

Perhaps Quins were unwise to run the ball out of defence; they were dispossessed and penalised. From the resulting line-out Rocky Clark – just on – bulldozed over.

Scott did pop a three-pointer over, but the Sarries pack was beginning to gain control. Packer scored her second and anxious home fans glanced at the scoreboard shining out in the gloom. (27-21) On seventy minutes Lotte Clapp was hauled in just in time, but Quins took their turn to suffer a card, so the impetus went to the visitors.

Those last ten minutes may well recur in the dreams/nightmares of the participants.

Mackenzie Carson feeds Cleall to put the visitors in front for the first time (21-28). Sarries fans with long memories remember similar escapes from inevitable defeat.

Barely moments later Sarries mount another huge attack from deep in their own half, Carson again prominent. Packer brings up her hat-trick. There’s a player who likes her game of rugby. (27-33)

So now it’s all-out attack for the hosts, but they have to keep their cool. They press into the opposition’s 22. Injuries bring delays and more time for plans, but when the countdown clock starts again, it’s ticking past zero.

The Quins pack takes responsibility; they drive and drive. Finally the ball is carried over the line. The referee rushes round the mass of players to view events.

The world holds its breath. Then the Sarries’ players leap in the air like dervishes. No try!

Result: Quins 27 Saracens 33

In this most memorable of games Lotte Clapp reached her fiftieth as captain, a quite remarkable record.

Player of the Match: Marlie Packer (three tries)

Attendance: 1182

So my career as a crystal-ball gazer is at an end. Quins have failed to beat Saracens who become the short-odds favourites to gain a third title. But it’s not all over just yet.

Other results:

DMP Sharks 17 Bristol Bears 10
Gloucester-Hartpury 17 Loughborough Lightning 36
Worcester Warriors 64 Firwood Waterloo

Sharks v Bears

The tension at the Northern Arena was even greater than at the Stoop. Every point the two sides could glean would help assure them of life salvaged for next year. Bristol had a try disallowed early on after a fumble at the line, but they went over first to establish a thin 5-0 lead by half-time. But DMP showed their upward trend by clocking up three tries without response after the turn-round. This result is as encouraging for them as it is worrying for the losers.

Worcester v Waterloo

It’s ‘Fortress Sixways’ as the Warriors completed their second win on the trot. Now they must consolidate with wins against higher-ranked sides and away from the safety of their castle.

Gloucester-Hartpury v Lightning

The west-country side had a rude awakening as Lightning took firm control of the latter stages of the game. This may be the start of a much-needed surge by the visitors . With all the talent they have at their disposal they haven’t really produced the goods this season. Now they return to third place, but a full 10 points behind the top two.

Returning Heroes

There was a welcome return to action for Rachael Burford and especially Bianca Blackburn after a long lay-off. Harriet Millar-Mills is due back in harness on Sunday too.

Sunday match: Richmond v Wasps

Table after 9 Rounds (One match to be played):

                                                                                    W          L          Pts               

Saracens .                                                                  9            0            44            

Quins                                                                         8            1            42             

Lightning                                                                  6            3            32               

Glos-Pury                                                                 6            3             30            

Wasps .                                                                     4            4              20

DMP .                                                                        4           5               19

Bristol                                                                        3           6               18             

Worcester                                                                 2            7               10                  

Richmond                                                                 1            7                 5

Waterloo                                                                   1            8                 5

Rosewatch:

The following contracted England players were listed to play:
Aldcroft
Beckett
Botterman
Breach
Brown
Cleall P
Cokayne
Daley-Mclean
Dow
Fleetwood
Harrison
Hunt
Hunter
Macdonald
McKenna
Packer
Scarratt
Scott E
Smith
Thompson

Not listed:

Bern
Cleall B
Cornborough
O’Donnell
Reed
Riley
Scott A
Tuima