Sale Sharks v Trailfinders
The only game to be played on Saturday gave two ambitious clubs the chance to strut their stuff and prove they could challenge for top placements.
The ease with which TF won will send shockwaves through Sharks’ ranks.
Both sides were stuffed with test players, another indication of the overwhelming strength of the PWR. Even players who had shone in the world cup had to wait their turn on the bench.
Trailfinders’ rapid movement of the ball – already a feature of their style two years ago – was in evidence from the start. But it was forward power that created the first score; Georgia Ponsonby on the end of an unstoppable drive.
Sharks responded well with Rhona Lloyd’s third try of the season – she had a fine game – but that was the last time the scoreboard showed parity (5-5).
New additions to the Ealing squad, notably Meg Jones, Alana Borland, Claire Gallagher and Ponsonby, brought zest and efficiency to the visitors.
It was a shock to see the ease with which Trailfinders could manoeuvre the ball beyond the hosts’ reach. Abi Burton barreled over from a long way out for their second. The big crowd grew thoughtful.
By the 22nd minute TF had their try bonus secured.
Helped by two consecutive penalties, Sharks made a second foray into the opposition’s 22, and Amy Cokayne registered a second try. She was as prominent as usual, but it would help her side if they didn’t depend so heavily on her contributions. Holly Aitchison and later Katana Howard made good ground with kicks, but the backs found little room for manoeuvre. I have to admit I barely noticed Beatrice Rigoni in midfield.
By half-time the writing was on the wall. The visitors’ lead looked close to impregnable – 12-30.
It took Carys Cox only two minutes after the break to find herself over the line with the ball in her hands.
The visitors’ tally mounted inexorably. Their interlinking was admirable; their willingness to send the ball wide with the fewest possible passes eye-catching.
By the close they had registered ten tries, some of them end to end stuff of great brilliance.
Tom Hudson’s one compensation was Sharks’ determination right to the close.
They managed two more tries, by Lloyd and Scarlett Fielding, that ensured at least one point from a grim day for them.
Result: Sale Sharks 22 Trailfinders 64
Player of the Match: Julia Schell
Teams
Sale: 15 Duffy 14 Lloyd 13 Rigoni 12 Howard 11 Thorpe 10 Aitchison 9 Relf 1 Bartlett 2 Cokayne 3 Benavent 4 Antwis 5 Talling 6 Fray 7 Childs 8 Jarrell-Searcy
16 Fielding 17 Harper 18 James 19 Donaldson 20 Kasolo 21 Ortiz 22 Perris-Redding 23 Wills
Trailfinders: 15 Schell 14 White 13 Jones 12 Cox 11 McGhie 10 C. Gallagher 9 Amory 1 Leatherman 2 Ponsonby 3 Montiel 4 Moore 5 Borland 6 Malcolm 7 Zackary 8 Burton
16 Swailes 17 C. Williams 18 Evans 19 Taylor 20 Head 21 Bradley 22 Inman 23 N. Gallagher
Afterthoughts
Apart from the rugby this was a day for remembrance. Amy Cokayne and Sarah Benavent, both in the armed forces, led the teams out and laid wreaths on the ground as the Last Post was sounded.
I return to my focus on NEQPs. There were test players everywhere you looked; there was so much quality rugby to enjoy.
But – in Trailfinders starting XV I could spot no fewer than 12 players not qualified to play for the home nation. The exceptions, the two Red Roses, Jones and Burton, and Grace White. What does the PWR board make of that?
Early days
The season has still barely begun. This was only the visitors’ second outing. The club view was that the fortnight’s break gave the squad valuable time to get to know each other better. It certainly worked out like that.
For Sharks this was a worrying reversal. Their hopes had been equally high, but they committed too many unforced errors that were ruthlessly exploited.
They had had the chance to go briefly top of the table. Instead it’s going to be a week of sorting out defensive systems and rebuilding confidence. What a disappointment!
