Allianz Premier 15s – Round 13
Quins v Sarries
In the big match of the day Sarries corrected the two previous results, especially a painful loss in last year’s final, winning 22-8. This is already Quins’ fourth reverse of the season; they really can’t afford any more setbacks between now and the knock-outs. The competition for those last three places (Sarries already a stone-dead certainty) is tight in the extreme. They can point to important absences (only eleven Red Roses on the park today), but that is the case up and down the country.
They started well enough, a fine drive leaving Amy Cokayne in charge over the line. Sarries responded with a wonderfully constructed try, the ball passing through umpteen phases involving forwards and backs. Finally Holly Aitchison played unmarked winger on the left to dot down.
As the interval beckoned, Lagi Tuima nudged Quins ahead from in front of the posts, (8-7) They had a chance of a repeat, but like Glos-Pury later, went for the corner. The ensuing drive looked good, till a forward was pinged for going off her feet beyond the ball. Seven points left out on the line.
After twenty-five scoreless minutes Sarries built an unstoppable drive to the line. Alev Kelter added a penalty and Quins were playing catch-up. Another wonderful combined movement by the visitors saw a long absent Vicky Fleetwood mark her return with a final touchdown.
If Sarries lose another match this season, it will be a huge surprise. Kelter was Player of the Match, influencing the game just as much as anyone would have expected, hearing of her surprise signing for Sarries. Now if she had linked up with DMP…
Gloucester-Hartpury v Exeter Chiefs
It was good to see Glos-Pury returning to Kingsholm for a classic game against Exeter. The only pity was they couldn’t hold out against the World XV facing them.
Kate Zackary scored a quite remarkable solo try off the back of a set scrum just outside her own 10 metre line. You don’t see that very often.
With her side 10-14 down before the interval, Lleucu George did a surprise tap at a penalty, ran and chipped through into Exeter’s 22; When Chiefs infringed in front of the posts, Zoe Aldcroft opted for a kick to the corner. But it misfired, so her team missed out on either seven or three points that were to prove costly. They did accept another penalty, George going for goal, so at least they reduced the deficit to a single point.
They couldn’t catch Exeter in the second half, but had the reward of scoring from a last-minute catch and drive in the corner. Emma Sing potted the conversion despite the angle, so they netted the still rare combo of two points, try and losing bonuses.
Susie Appleby had the interesting experience of seeing her new(ish) side beat her old side. A penny for her thoughts.
If Tatyana Heard doesn’t force her way back into the England squad in March, it will show the enviable strength in depth it has. Her play has been consistently outstanding in the centre. Who knows, she might be plucked away into the England 7s squad for good.
Bristol Bears v Worcester Warriors
it was nip and tuck at Shaftesbury Park, and defences dominated the scene. Warriors showed the great advances they have made this season, leading the erstwhile leaders 10-5 going into the final stages. But, as has happened rather too often, they conceded a try by Kayleigh Powell. It then took Elinor Snowsill’s experience and calm to ensure the extra two points and a hard earned home victory.
Bristol are far from looking like potential champions. They should be putting away a side six places below them with greater ease. Warriors can feel pleased at holding them so well, but frustrated that they succumbed to the Bears by the same margin in Round 8.
DMPDS v Wasps
I hope DMPDS feel heartened by their display in the Darlington Arena. The resulting margin was less than half the total of the reverse game in Round 4. After Wasps ran away in the first 40 (seven tries), they managed only one more as the Sharks really dug in and showed enormous determination. Great credit to them.
Two England stars did themselves proud, Maud Muir scoring a first-half hat-trick of tries, and Abby Dow completing her 60th for the club.
Sale Sharks v Loughborough Lightning
Lightning’s fixture-list saw them play the bottom two clubs in succession, bringing them a welcome ten points. Helena Rowland produced another memorable solo try, and Lark Davies added to her record total. Lightning break new ground next time with a game at Franklin’s Gardens.
Sharks haven’t yet found the key to success, and life won’t get easier with a visit to Quins in a fortnight.
Results:
Bristol Bears 12 Worcester Warriors 10
DMP Durham Sharks 0 Wasps 46
Gloucester-Hartpury 32 Exeter Chiefs 36
Harlequins 8 Saracens 22
Sale Sharks 3 Loughborough Lightning 32
Media Coverage
It was a special pleasure to hear both England’s assistant coaches, Scott Bemand and Louis Deacon, offering their views on the Stoop game at half-time. It helps the public to understand how they see the game, what details they are looking for, which players they have an eye on. But in a game of this quality, they are spoilt for choice. Sarries added five Red Roses to Quins’ eleven, though they too had important players missing. But that’s never upset them unduly.
Rosewatch
It’s still two months to the first round of the Six Nations, so it’s a bit early to start name-checking Red Rose absentees. Suffice it to say that there are rather a lot of familiar names missing from current team-lists.
Table P W L D Pts
Saracens 13 12 1 0 57
Bristol 13 10 3 0 50
Exeter 13 9 3 1 45
Harlequins 12 8 3 0 40
Wasps 13 7 5 1 39
Loughborough 13 7 6 0 36
Gloucester-H 13 6 7 0 35
Worcester 12 3 9 0 19
Sale 13 1 12 0 7
DMPDS 13 0 13 0 0
Quins meet Warriors in the last catch-up (we hope) at the Stoop next Saturday.
Officials:
Bristol Bears v Worcester Warriors
Referee: Katherine Ritchie
ARs: Tom Falkingham and Anthony Gordon-Eales
DMP Durham Sharks v Wasps
Referee: Gavin Jones
ARs: Paul Fincken and Alan Hughes
Gloucester-Hartpury v Exeter Chiefs
Referee: Adam Wookey
ARs: Oli Carey and Ben Simpson
Harlequins v Saracens
Referee: Charlie Gayther
ARs: Jonathan Cook and James Pidding
Sale Sharks v Loughborough Lightning
Referee: Rebecca Rees
ARs: Ben Moore and Kieron Henry
with thanks to rugbyreferee.net
