Sarries march on to establish an even greater lead over their rivals. But Warriors are heartened by gaining a try-bonus point over such a daunting team.
DMPDS scored another try and surrendered fewer points than in the early rounds. Lightning will be grateful for pocketing five more points in a tricky season for them.
Quins did the necessary over visiting Gloucester-Hartpury, who were limited to a couple of tries, so couldn’t add a valuable bonus point.
The other Sharks and the Bears meet in combat in the Sunday game.
Wasps v Exeter
A low-scoring thriller. The visitors may well see this as three points lost, the hosts as a welcome two in times of trouble.
For once Giselle Mather could actually post 23 names on the board. With England 7s calls, injuries and the dreaded Covid reducing the options, Wasps can feel tolerably pleased to have slowed Exeter’s progress.
The Chiefs now give allegiance to a new Chief, a native one this time. He will be installed officially in the summer.
On sixteen minutes they took the lead. A fine penalty kick to the corner by Patricia Garcia, a clean catch by Rachel Johnson, and it was Clara Nielson – I think – who owned the scrum-cap patted in appreciation by team-mates.
Exeter then paid heavily for a wonky line-out. Wasps attacked and gained a try after the referee burrowed low to check legal grounding. My guess is it was Maud Muir who did the necessary; she looked modestly pleased after the event. Flo Williams converted well in the strong breeze.
But we are warned not to undo good work with immediate mistakes. Wasps did, and went into half-time 7-10 down. Zintle Mpupha was on the end of a successful attack. A penalty to touch, a catch-and-drive, and she found room to curve outside her marker for a second try.
Exeter suffered after half-time; Kate Zackary shown a yellow card. And there was a long break for an injury to Ciara Cooney. But in the following ten minutes it was Wasps who lost ground, the Chiefs’ forwards driving over again.
Wasps were 7-15 down, but, to cause Susie Appleby concern, they came back to score twice while her side couldn’t widen the gap. Bryony Cleall finished off another long series of drives at the line. (12-15)
On 79 minutes Abby Dow found room to kick deep into enemy territory. Merryn Doidge fielded and passed on to Laura Sheehan; she fought her way out beyond her 22 but was pinged for not releasing. It left Flo Williams with a kick right in front. Over it sailed and the points were shared.
The first ‘proper’ draw of the season; see under the latest table below for the other less impressive one.
Results:
Harlequins 26 Gloucester-Hartpury 12
Loughborough Lightning 58 DMPDS 5
Saracens 39 Worcester Warriors 28
Wasps 15 Exeter 15
Sunday Game:
Sale Sharks v Bristol Bears
Table P W L D Pts
Saracens 12 11 1 0 48
Bristol 11 8 3 0 41
Exeter 12 8 3 1 40
Harlequins 11 8 3 0 40
Wasps 12 5 5 2 34
Gloucester-H 12 6 6 0 33
Loughborough 12 6 6 0 31
Worcester 11 3 7 1 18
Sale 11 1 10 0 7
DMPDS 12 0 12 0 0
A clear gap is opening up at the top. Neither Wasps nor Glos-Pury nor Lightning are stitching wins together often enough to threaten the four leaders.
The RFU awarded Wasps 5 points for the non-show of an ambulance at Worcester last week, rather than allowing them to gain them onfield. Result: ‘0-0’.
Officials:
Harlequins v Gloucester-Hartpury
Referee: Iain Kiy
ARs: Peter Buchanan and Phil Bowers
Loughborough Lightning v DMP Durham Sharks
Referee: Nia Parsonage
ARs: Rory Fisher and Martin Sly
Sale Sharks v Bristol Bears
Referee: Callum Watson
ARs: Ben Moore and Dave Miller
Saracens v Worcester Warriors
Referee: Holly Wood
ARs: Steve Randall and Simon Bourne
Wasps v Exeter
Referee: Peter Caunt
ARs: Ewan Leadbeater and Jeff Highcock
with thanks to rugbyreferee.net
Afterthoughts
Head coaches are still hampered by non-availabilities, so we find more players being asked to occupy unfamiliar positions. Claire Molloy repeated last week’s jaunt in the centre, Sarah Beckett found herself in the second row and Holly Aitchison at full-back. The club’s needs come first.
Flo Robinson is a different case, not helped in her England ambitions by having to play No 10 again.
Carys Williams who recently opted to vie for a place in the Welsh squad, has switched back to her former club Lightning.
Catha Jabobs, capped five times for the Springboks, becomes the second South African to sign for a Prem 15s club, in her case Saracens. She remained in the UK after the Barbarians match in the hope of picking up a contract. An early SA report indicated she might join London Irish, but in the end she went to the double champions. They are in desperate need of strengthening of course
