Allianz Premier 15s – Round 14
The Stoop game was delayed to Sunday, but it didn’t escape the wet windy conditions Storm Eunice brought. Quins were way short of full strength, but that makes little difference to sides at the top end of the table.
Quins v Sale
Sale started really strongly, developing moves with great confidence. They opted for the off-loading game, to keep the opposition on the back foot, but it comes at a price.
They got off the mark with a penalty in front from Lizzie Duffy, but for the rest of the first forty they undid the good work with passes that were hopeful rather than safe. Quins picked them off and restored territory. Their greater cohesion brought them three tries before the break.
Half-time 21-3
Shaunagh Brown raised the bonus point with her second try straight after the restart.
Duffy then planted a penalty five metres out, but Sharks’ drive was stopped dead by a stern defence. No matter, they remounted their assault and finally Vicky E Irwin was credited with the try.
Quins’ response on 65 minutes was an exquisite effort. It began – as so often – from a defensive clearance, by Duffy. Heather Cowell proved hard to bring down, then great handling brought them to the line. A curious coincidence: the try was scored by another Duffy, Hannah, who had only just joined the action.
The game finished with a familiar scene: in the 78th minute Irwin was sent from the field for not rolling. This happens so often these days, but do referees ever consider the possibility of the opposition illegally preventing the roll?
The fixture-dealer dealt Quins a poor hand. This game, twelve weeks before the last round, was already their last home treat. What went wrong there?
Result: Quins 40 Sale Sharks 8
Player of the Match: Shaunagh Brown
Officials:
Referee: Katherine Ritchie
ARs: Rebecca Rees and Nia Parsonage
with thanks to rugbyreferee.net
A Thought about Live Streaming
Now that live streaming is becoming common currency in the Prem 15s, I wonder if clubs offering their own dedicated service – here I’m excluding professional broadcasters, i.e. the BBC – would consider using a lead commentator from each of the two clubs involved. It’s a system introduced successfully for County Championship cricket matches by BBC Radio.
In that way viewers could gain an insight into both teams, a feature which is largely missing at present. The typical line-up is lead commentator plus a player or ex-player from the home club. On most occasions this pairing means viewers learn very little about the visiting team, which reduces their understanding and enjoyment of what is laid before them.
Commentaries try to avoid bias, but this set-up would help to avoid any suggestion of over-partisanship.
Perhaps three in the box might prove more expensive and more crowded, but it’s a step I think most viewers would welcome.
Table P W L D Pts
Saracens 13 12 1 0 57
Bristol 14 11 3 0 54
Harlequins 14 10 4 0 45
Exeter 14 9 4 1 46
Loughborough 14 8 6 0 41
Wasps 14 7 5 1 39
Gloucester-H 13 6 7 0 35
Worcester 14 4 10 0 24
Sale 14 1 13 0 7
DMPDS 14 0 14 0 0
