This was the game you refuse Christmas pudding for – or should that be ‘a second helping of…’? It formed the first half of a double-header with the men’s teams at a sold-out Stoop.
For the first time Wayne Barnes refereed a Prem 15s game.
This was a worryingly one-sided contest for Bristol, Quns’ running in five tries by half-time. Their power up front took an early toll, Amy Cokayne breaking off an advancing maul to score; Lagi Tuima converted. (7-0)
When Ellie Mulhearn was shown yellow for a high tackle, it cost the Bears dear, Quins adding two more tries. Cokayne completed a hat-trick inside 40 minutes.
Half-time: 29-0
Ellie Kildunne started the second half with a picture-perfect 50-22. She caught a relieving kick off the bounce, then delivered a long punt over the head of the defending winger to put Quins in another attacking position. It’s a surprise that her all-round kicking skills haven’t been exploited more at club and international level.
It was Chloe Edwards who profited with the hosts’ sixth try. Dave Ward showed his feelings by making four changes as early as the 46th minute. (36-0)
Bears finally got their motor going. Almost inevitably it was Lark Davies who supplied the first try. (36-7).They were far more prominent now, but Kildunne punctured their hopes again with a lovely try after fine approach work by Léna Corson, Shaunagh Brown and izzy Mayhew. (43-7)
Near the end Grace White, who had a fine game on short rations, skipped away to score the Bears’ second. But Quins were intent on a half-century. An attacking line-out led to a final score to Bella McKenzie. But her conversion struck wood and stayed out.
How like England can you get? Six of their eight tries were scored by the Quins forwards. We have to hope that an injury to Emma Swords will not prove costly to her and her team. Lucy Packer was allowed back on as this was an HIA.
Result: Quins 48 Bears 14
Player of the Match: Rosie Galligan
Teams
Quins
1. Chloe Edwards 2. Amy Cokayne (co-captain) 3. Bryony Cleall 4. Rosie Galligan 5. Sarah Bonar 6. Shaunagh Brown 7. Emily Robinson 8. Jade Konkel-Roberts 9. Lucy Packer 10. Emily Scott (co-captain) 11. Lauren Torley 12. Lagi Tuima 13. Izzy Mayhew 14. Freya Aucken 15. Ellie Kildunne
Bench: 16. Rosie Dobson 17. Sheree Cooper 18. Hannah Duffy 19. Kaitlan Leaney 20. Lénaig Corson 21. Emma Swords 22. Bella McKenzie 23. Beth Blacklock
Bristol
15. Courtney Keight, 14. Grace White, 13. Phoebe Murray, 12. Amber Reed (c), 11. Reneeqa Bonner, 10. Elinor Snowsill, 9. Keira Bevan; 1. Simi Pam, 2. Lark Davies, 3. Ellie Mulhearn, 4. Beth Stafford, 5. Delaney Burns, 6. Claire Molloy, 7. Manon Johnes, 8. Rownita Marston.
Bench:: 16. Holly Phillips, 17. Gwenllian Pyrs, 18. Hannah Sims, 19. Bryonie King, 20. Bo Osborne-Clark, 21. Lucy Burgess, 22. Jo Smith, 23. Amy Coles
The table grows even more distorted, Quins’ extra Christmas-tide fixture leaving them as the only club to complete six matches.
Table
P W L Pts
Gloucester-H 5 5 0 24
Exeter 5 4 1 20
Harlequins 6 4 2 19
Bristol 5 3 2 15
Sale 4 3 1 13
UWW 4 2 2 11
Saracens 4 2 2 10
Lightning 5 0 5 3
Wasps 4 0 4 0
DMPS 4 0 4 0
This was announced as Shaunagh Brown’s final game for Quins, and, we must assume, her final game of rugby. She was carried off the field smiling on the shoulders of her team-mates.
She has added a lot of positive publicity for English rugby during her relatively brief career at the top level. Everyone wishes her well.
Only five ex-Wasps were on show today.
