The RFU acted quickly to ensure the onward progress of its one surviving women’s competition. The provision of lateral flow testing is a massive reassurance for every player.
Only one of the two rearranged games saw the light of day on 30 January. The Round 8 clash between Gloucester-Hartpury and DMP Durham Sharks was called off for an old-fashioned reason: too much rain.
Exeter Chiefs v Saracens (Round 7)
The only match left on the card proved dramatic. A pity the conditions were so poor (wind, rain and mud, but at least we had real action. For much of the first half you had to remind yourself that Sarries weren’t playing in their usual black strip. Exeter were like the kids who know no fear; they were accurate in building their positions, took the game to their opponents, tackled furiously and forced errors.
They went ahead on ten minutes. From a kick to the corner the forwards drove for Poppy Leitch to claim the score. (5-0)
Sarries gave away a string of penalties, one of which Gabby Cantorna converted from 35 metres. (8-0)
The water-break may have been the wrong term today; water was ever present. Wise Sarries heads (Clark, Taylor, Fleetwood and Packer tot up 402 caps between them), pointed the way forward, but determined defence kept them scoreless to the break. Alex Austerberry showed what he thought of things by keeping his side out in the wet as he said his piece.
Half-time: 8-0
It was a surprise to see the champions finding it so hard to take control of the game. Sarah McKenna plopped a fine kick into the corner, but her team couldn’t exploit it. Instead drama came at the other end. Aitchison had her relieving kick charged down by Kate Zackary who flopped on the ball over the line. Cantorna converted. (15-0)
Sarries’ one golden moment came from a delightful dummy reverse, then a real one from Holly Aitchison. She gave to skipper Lotte Clapp who was loitering on the right side of the field. She was through a gap in a flash, accelerated and left Merryn Doidge standing with a final step and score. Aitchison added the goal.(15-7)
But Sarries still couldn’t impose themselves. Just before Rosie Galligan came on for a heart-warming return to action, Zackary again showed the Chiefs’ intent by nailing a tackle inside Sarries’ 22. This gesture inspired her pack to more endeavour.
As both coaches brought replacements on, Sarries upped their tempo at last, but conditions had worsened; the ball became harder to manage. It was Exeter who succeeded in keeping control of it right up to the line. The referee went down to ground-level to check the ball had been legally touched down. Rachel Johnson had a debut try.
With another Cantorna conversion the Chiefs looked out of sight. (22-7)
Of course Sarries had the last word; they (nearly) always do. But their second score, a drive over the line by Cara Wardle, came with 72 minutes on the clock and the referee ready for a hot shower.
So Exeter gained a great victory. This was Sarries’ fourth loss in 54 matches.
Result: 22-14
Player of the Match: Kate Zackary
Afterthoughts:
Minds were sharpened by the World Cup schedule that was announced two days before kick-off. It had been in everyone’s minds for a long while, but the sudden appearances of actual dates and opponents brought an edge to the first game to be played after a fortnight’s break.
This was Sarries’ first game of 2021 and their first loss since October 2018, ending a run of 33 wins.
From the league’s point of view this is excellent news. The more competition, the better.
Now for Quins to lose their mojo.
Exeter’s triumph leaves them eight points off a play-off place – such is the strength at the top of the tree.
With Olivia DeMerchant, the great Canadian forward, assuming her place at loose-head, Susie Appleby made the interesting call of shifting Sachiko Kato across to tight-head in place of Laura Delgado, who moved to the bench. Appleby must be as pleased as Punch with her team’s performance. Flo Robinson came in to replace Patricia Garcia, allowing another young English player to gain vital experience in a game that really mattered.
Officials:
Referee: Adam Wookey
ARs: Lloyd Davies and Max Weston
with thanks to rugbyreferee.net
Table P W L B Pts
Quins 8 8 0 8 40
Saracens 8 7 1 6 35
Wasps 9 7 2 6 34
Lightning 10 7 3 6 34
Exeter 10 5 5 6 26
Glos-Pury 9 4 5 4 20
Bristol 10 3 7 6 18
Worcester 10 3 7 3 15
Sale 8 1 6 1 5
DMPDS 8 0 8 0 0
