That’s what every true Gloucester-Hartpury fan must be thinking after Emma Sing produced an outstanding performance at Sandy Park.
Chiefs were one of a number of clubs to see high ambitions squashed, at least for the present. They scored five fine tries, but still lost by 12 points.
The champions’ penalty try shows where their strength ultimately lies, but their pace and cohesion place them as close to England standards as any club in the world. And Sing provided so many of their best moments, carrying the ball far further than she should have been allowed to, while adding the kicking skills we expect.
Chiefs, still over-dependent on NEQPs, couldn’t keep pace. I wonder what the newly integrated Black Ferns make of it all.
Result: Exeter Chiefs 31 Gloucester-Hartpury 47
Player of the Match: Emma Sing
Of the two games running simultaneously, the one we could avoid watching was at Welford Road. Bristol Bears ran up a cruel 74 points without reply, strengthening my prediction that Tigers will fail to win a single game.
What then? What action will the PWR board take come season’s end? Will Tigers be deemed to have failed in matching one of the two basic requirements laid down at the start of the Premier 15s, on-field performance?
That would satisfy one advice-giver who claimed PWR cannot afford to retain nine clubs; eight would be sensible. But that overlooks the state of the brother-organisation, the Gallagher Prem. Not a single member club is showing a profit.
Result: Leicester Tigers 0 Bristol Bears 74
A second club to receive an unwelcome shock was Quins, who went down by 37 points to old rivals Saracens at the StoneX.
Once again the Quarters (so rarely worn!) looked a few players short of what is needed to take the title. Sarries, needing only six NEQPs in their starting XV (no Sophie de Goede today), had them on a short lead throughout.
Result: Saracens 47 Harlequins 10
The one tight game of the round came at Franklin’s Gardens, where Loughborough Lightning came through by a single score against Sale Sharks, not enough to ensure a winning bonus.
Both teams played some delightful, aggressive rugby, but time and again positive thrusts were undone by unforced errors.
It was so close – just 5-0 at half-time, a great try by Tahlia Brody – that any one of several moments might have swung the balance. For example, when Eva Donaldson charged down Helen Nelson’s clearance. The ball shot away towards the corner flag, but too fast for Donaldson to create that extra try Sharks so desperately needed.
Head coaches can fall back on well known themes: ‘getting the rust out of the system’ or even ‘bringing the many RWC players back to earth again’.
Still, this was the game to offer the thrills of a tight finish.
Result: Loughborough Lightning 19 Sale Sharks 12
Other Issues
1. Big-names, other names
While the stars of the RWC go on capturing the headlines, it’s fascinating to guess which lesser known players are catching head coaches’ eyes. There are so many who were close to selection. At Sandy Park for instance, Maisie Allen, Georgia Brock and Nancy McGillivray, and there were many more elsewhere.
2. It’s all over, bar…
It’s tempting to say, give the trophy to Glos-Pury now, and we can all go away and enjoy a winter of indoor croquet.
But that wouldn’t do the PWR a heap of good, and we must remember that Chiefs find it desperately hard beating the Cherry and Whites.
3. The unsolved dilemma
Then again, Chiefs are a side that depends heavily on overseas talent. Liana Mikaele Tu’u has become the latest Black Fern to join the throng. Who next?
4. Straight on to a pet topic:
All these NEQPs mean England hopefuls find their route barred. A case in point here was Merryn Elworthy. With Alex Tessier moved to full-back, Liv McGoverne at 10 and Gabby Cantona playing 12, only the bench was left for her. She remains uncapped.
5. Then the Celtic players
When their turn comes in the Celtic Challenge and especially the Six Nations, will they reproduce the form they show in the PWR? It’s a bit early to tell, but only Nel Metcalfe among the Welsh really made her mark. The Scots and Irish were far more prominent.
6. Table manners
Little to glean after two rounds, but Gloucester-Hartpury stand alone at the top with a maximum 10 points. At the other end Tigers have already conceded 120.
Professional rugby is a hard world..
