PWR – Preview Round 18
This is a last chance for the fans of five clubs to see their team in action this season. How many of the five are surprise additions to this list? None. That is how predictable the league has become.
The match-day schedule is reshaped once again, all these last-round games taking place on Sunday and given the alliterative title, Super Sunday.
Fixtures
Exeter Chiefs v Leicester Tigers
Harlequins v Trailfinders Women
Loughborough Lightning v Saracens
Sale Sharks v Bristol Bears
All games start at 15.00 BST on Sunday 2 June
Bye: Gloucester-Hartpury
Any giant-killings?
It would be lovely to think we could see another splash of upsets.
Last week Sharks won away and Gloucester-Hartpury lost their first game, even if it was to Saracens, rather than one of the bottom three. But that sort of reverse is rare in the Prem 15s/PWR. So, if Chiefs, Quins, Sarries and Bears don’t win, you’ll know I’m a poor judge of events. I leave my escape-hatch to further down.
Chiefs welcome Tigers to Sandy Park for the first time. To encourage a large gate they feature Megan Jones on their welcome page. But she of course won’t be there; she’s been accepted back into the GB Sevens squad instead. She’s just been acclaimed Player of the Tournament, so we can understand Chiefs’ keenness to advertise her presence.
Vital club matters are limited to the top four (G-H, Sarries, Bears and Chiefs), for whom the season is far from over. The only possible change to the finishing order would come if Chiefs (52 points) gained a bonus-point victory and Bears (56) came away empty-handed from Cheshire. That is less than likely. In any case neither club retains the chance of playing their semi-final at home.
Bristol are the one club to announce a major signing for the coming season. Emma Orr, the highly promising Scottish centre, has decided to join the Bears, rather then, say, Sale Sharks, who lie a good deal closer to her home. Women’s Premier 15 Ltd does not see it as its job to ensure fair shares for all.
Last Calls
More important from a personal point of view will be swansongs for several players. We already know of three decisions: Rachael Burford, Emily Scott and Shaunagh Brown of Quins have all announced their decision to retire, Shaunagh for the second time in two years. Appreciations of their service to the game, to England and their club have appeared by the dozen. With Georgia Gray and Katy Mew also hanging up their boots, this represents a real turn of the tide.
In the longer term, it will be interesting to see how Quins manage to fill these sizeable gaps in their playing strength. Their present sixth place is a reminder of how far they have fallen in the past few seasons from a position of strength.
Lightning are the other club to announce the departure of a host of players: Carys Williams-Morris, Emma Hardy, Katie Trevarthen, Jenny Maxwell, Jess Weaver and Sally Williams. At least they have Helena Rowland back in harness.
Sarah Law (Sale Sharks and Scotland) adds her name to those who won’t be returning next season. The list may well lengthen. Best wishes to all of them.
Now for my caveat: of the four likely winners Quins are the most vulnerable. Their record is only one draw better than the newcomers Trailfinders, and TF lost by a single point last week to Lightning, who sit one place and eleven points above Quins.
This is how the top four sit:
Table W L Pts
Glos-Pury 15 1 76
Saracens 13 2 65
Bristol Bears 11 4 56
Exeter Chiefs 9 5 52
