This round was another to stretch like chewing-gum from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon. Here are the two big games.
Bristol Bears v Harlequins
The Friday evening game really set the cat among the pigeons.
A large crowd turned out at Shafestbury Park, hoping to see their favourites confim their place among the competition’s leading lights.
Bears, the only one of the top five clubs to have a game in hand, failed to profit. Millie David got them off to a perfect start, a try within two minutes. But Connie Powell, Quins’ recruit from Glos- Pury, soon had an answer, on the end of forward drives.
Have Wales found their answer to the No 10 problem? Kayleigh Powell found a gap that Lauren Torley, back from GB 7s’ unsuccessful push for an Olympic medal, converted into a try. Then it was Ellie Kildunne’s turn – it so often is these days. Quick hands gave her half a chance, and she did the rest.
Already Quins were getting a distance ahead. 7-21
But the presence of so many talented outside backs in the league was confirmed moments later. Now it was Reneeka Bonner who carved her way through to the line. When Rownita Marston- Mulhearn powered her way over, visions of past faults in Quins’ systems flashed before the eye.
At half-time a tiny lead for the visitors:19-21
The Bears’ management will have some hard thinking to do to explain the way matters developed as the evening grew colder. Their side failed to add to their total; Quins waltzed to victory.
A crucial moment came with a yellow card shown to Christiana Balogun. While she was missing, Carys Phillips profited with a try, then Alex Callender proved what a bargain buy she was for Quins with another one. She was the one outstanding Warriors player to remain unattached for a long period. Her only involvement was as captain of Brython Thunder in the Celtic Challenge.
There is hot dispute about the law-change that allows the defending side to drop out when the opposition is held up beyond the line. That happened here, but instead of Bears returning smartly to the other end, the ball was whipped out wide for Callender to cross.
Quins insist on calling their bench “impact players”, but it’s hard seeing what impact they can make when they are sent on with a couple of minutes to play – especially when one of them is a distinguished ex-Red Rose like Harriet Millar-Mills. It’s a long day out for one minute’s playing time.
But overnight Quins rose to third in the table, bringing a much needed new look to proceedings.
Of course both teams had huge strengths on offer, but should a XV including such notables as Abbie Ward, Lark Atkin-Davies and Sarah Bern up front and Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, Amber Reed and Phoebe Murray out behind, fall short on home soil? Defences seemed to be on holiday as the tries mounted up in the first half, but a 1-point Bears deficit turned into a 15-point rout by the end.
For the record: four Bristol NEQP starters played against seven Quins.
Exeter Chiefs v Saracens
The big Saturday game at Sandy Park saw the only two unbeaten sides meet.
Things started well for Sarries: Zoe Harrison’s kick-off travelled 10 metres and one millimetre. A high tackle verdict saw them enter Exeter’s 22, but they couldn’t exploit.
Instead, the second of Liv McGoverne’s cross-kicks worked like a charm; straight into Eilidh Sinclair’s arms and she fed inside to the supporting Merryn Doidge. 7-0
For any club hunting for Sarries’ weaknesses, the set-scrum was a source of interest. Twice they conceded a penalty, then Chiefs heaved them towards Cornwall.
It looked to be all Chiefs, with DaLeaka Menin very prominent, then trouble; Sarah McKenna found the ball at her feet and she was off. She looked a mite surprised to have made it to the line unhindered. 7-7
Chiefs came straight back. Sarries were relieved when Flo Robinson couldn’t repossess. Next it was Alysha Corrigan making a dangerous break through midfield, but Akina Gondwe dropped a takeable pass to relieve pressure on the Chiefs.
They had a promising spell, but the moment the ball was spilled, Harrison kicked far downfield. As the Sarries pack massed on the line, they might have had a 5-player overlap out wide, but were content to let Gondwe complete the job. 7-12
With the break approaching, it was scrum to Sarries in deep defence. Flo Robinson followed round, picked the ball up and found her way over! One of Sarries’ softer give-aways.
Even worse, another untidy breakdown saw the ref offer Chiefs a penalty. They opted for the posts and Alex Tessier obliged. Ten points conceded in the blink of an eye.
Half-time: 17-12
Two very strong sides don’t always bring a game of continuity and movement. Sarries proved this with a long phase of possession, gaining one painful metre after another. In the end they were pinged for holding on.
Now Tessier caught them napping. An obvious kick to touch suddenly became a tap and run; as Chiefs exploded out of their 22, McKenna was shown yellow.
The game leapt into life; we even saw Poppy Cleall offer a kick ahead. Not for the first time, the result was a try at the other end of the field, to Sinclair. 22-12
Into the last quarter, and the home side were dominant. A forward press, so familiar to the visitors, saw Hope Rogers get the last touch. 27-10
Then the ultimate proof that this was not going to be Sarries’ day: they built a powerful attack; the line beckoned, but a knock-on stopped them dead – and they lost a scrum decision.
The end summed up the entire match: Sarries attacked with verve and invention, but the ball finished out of control in touch.
Result: 29-17
Afterthoughts
This game may prove to be a page-turner. Only one club remains undefeated, so none can feel confident about future results. The top four (Chiefs, Glos-Pury, Bears and Sarries) may still provide the semi-finalists, but some of us will hope that the chasers can overtake at least one of them by decision-time.
Chiefs managed to find five EQPs to fill the starting positions; two of them, the Robinson sisters, had moved across from Quins. It needed ten NEQPs to help them see off Sarries. Admittedly, they had two Red Rose hopefuls, Maisy Allen and Ebony Jefferies, busy in the comm box, but their reliance on overseas players continues unabated.
One of the less pleasing things about games at Sandy Park is the contribution of Chiefs’ male fans. They are very ready with boos and jeers for the opposition and shouts at the ref for their supposed infringements – all too reminiscent of men’s matches, where the watchword Respect is unknown.
Until tomorrow Chiefs sit top of the pile. If Glos-Pury take five points from their home game against the Sharks (who can doubt it?), it will need the maths experts to decide this week’s table- toppers.
Results
Friday: Bristol Bears 19 Harlequins 34
Saturday: Exeter Chiefs 29 Saracens 12
