Two intensely tight finishes out west confirmed the competitive nature of the AP 15s this season.
Glos-Pury did outstandingly well to overcome Exeter at the fortress that is Sandy Park, though Jennine Detiveaux was unlucky to be denied a try under the posts for a supposed knock-on.
The Bears had to work desperately hard to overcome the Warriors at Sixways; they may come to regret another missing bonus point
Exeter v Gloucester-Hartpury
Hard to tell just how buoyed Glos-Pury were by the award of World Player of the Year to one of their own. but it was indeed Zoe Aldcroft who registered the first score, pirouetting and fending to touch down under huge pressure, all the while no more than three feet above the ground. Some player.
Sean Lynn was wise to concentrate on his pack in the week’s build-up; they held their own against the power of the home eight. Patricia Garcia got Exeter on the board with a fine break through the middle. Much later she added three points off the tee, but her team couldn’t find the cohesion to pull away.
Tatyana Heard was a major obstacle in their path, and it was she who was instrumental in turning the game late on. After resisting many raids on their own line G-H threatened Exeter’s red zone. A Garcia box-kick, barely reaching outside her 22, was well gathered by Ellie Underwood; Heard threatened wide left, before the referee called a penalty. After eight stabs at the line by the forwards, Mo Hunt sent the ball out. Hannah Jones floated a long pass to Kelly Smith who had fresh air in front of her.
That made two unwelcome home losses on the bounce for Exeter to the Cherry-and-Whites.
Worcester Warriors v Bristol Bears
Bristol Bears made heavy weather of containing a determined Warriors team at Sixways. It needed a drive to the line in the 77th minute, a try for Holly Phillips and especially a conversion from wide out by Amber Reed to ensure four points. But in the long view this narrow victory is a set-back for their hopes.
On 53 minutes Sioned Harries was shown a red card for an illegal tackle. We may hear more about that incident in the near future. Lindsey O’Donnell was shown yellow three minutes from the end, and even then Warriors almost held out. Tries from Meg Varley and Alex Callender had given them real hope.
Wasps v DMP Durham Sharks
On a really bleak afternoon at Twyford Avenue Wasps didn’t have things all their own way, whatever the score-line might say. Sharks constructed several attacks, but errors, especially in handling, prevented them for crossing the line. Grace Trimble showed a clean pair of heels more than once on the right wing, but point-scoring remains a major obstacle for the side.
Rowena Burnfield showed them how to do the job, breaking free through midfield to run in to the posts. It had taken her team ten minutes to open their account, but from then on opportunities multiplied.
By the end of the game Ellie Boatman had helped herself to five tries. She was one of several Sevens players reporting back for duty, though Amy Wilson Hardy had the misfortune to sustain a leg injury and need crutches to leave the field of play.
There was a sizeable chunk of barren play in the second half, where Sharks kept Wasps at bay. But the moment Maud Muir was let off the leash from the bench, the scoreboard started whirring again. She scored a brace of tries, matched by the peerless Claire Molloy, who seemed to enjoy herself in the murk and wet.
Giselle Mather will want to see all her troops reporting fit and well after Christmas. For the second time running she posted only 21 players.
Loughborough Lightning v Sale Sharks
Lightning really needed to set their stall out in this game to improve their league position. They established superiority at the scrum and line-out, and with Helena Rowland calmly pulling the strings out behind, they rapidly gained confidence.
Skipper Rachel Malcolm enjoyed a first visit to the line, and Rowland potted a penalty to give the hosts a 10-0 lead at the turn-around.
Lark Davies made sure she hadn’t forgotten how to finish a line-out drive – twice! And Lightning finished the job with a delightful switch from Helen Nelson to Rowland who slid through for her second try of the league season.
Katy Daley-Mclean will be mainly concerned about the lack of primary possession; neither scrum nor line-out was secure. Until they are, Sharks’ position cannot improve.
Results:
Saturday 11 December
Exeter 8 Gloucester-Hartpury 10 (live streamed)
Loughborough Lightning 27 Sale Sharks 0 (live streamed)
Wasps 70 DMP Durham Sharks 0
Worcester Warriors 12 Bristol Bears 14
Sunday 12 December
Saracens v Harlequins (on BBC at 3.00)
Table P W L Pts
Bristol 8 7 1 35
Saracens 7 7 0 33
Wasps 8 5 3 26
Harlequins 7 5 2 24
Exeter 8 5 3 24
Gloucester-H 8 3 5 19
Loughborough 8 3 5 17
Worcester 7 2 5 12
Sale 8 1 7 6
DMPDS 7 0 7 0
Officials:
Exeter Chiefs v Gloucester-Hartpury
Referee: Ben Wood
ARs: Will Gilder and Andy Bickle
Loughborough Lightning v Sale Sharks
Referee: Katherine Ritchie
ARs: Matthew Astle and Rob Teare
Saracens v Harlequins
Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (FFR)
ARs: Katherine Ritchie and Mel Sutton
Wasps v DMP Durham Sharks
Referee: Holly Wood
ARs: Alex Rose and Matthew Shepherd
Worcester Warriors v Bristol Bears
Referee: Owen Taylor
ARs: David Watts-Boothby and Leonie Pryor
with thanks to rugbyreferee.net
Good to see three female referees out of five here.
Now we await the clash between the perennial finalists in the Sunday game. Quins have already lost twice; they won’t be keen on losing a third time before Christmas.
