The league now takes a fortnight’s break, after round 4 was completed on Sunday.
It’s time to take stock of an issue or two.
The league table looks much as we would have expected pre-season: Gloucester-Hartpury are the only unbeaten side; Leicester Tigers have scored 22 points in three matches and lie a distant last. We effectively have an 8-club league.
The Biggest News
Ruahei Demant has joined Bristol Bears on a four-month contract. This is dramatic news for Kiwi and world rugby. Demant is a rare 50-capper for the Black Ferns and as co-captain a highly respected figure on and off the field.
Her stay in the west country will last a month longer than Ilona Maher’s, and she is an infinitely superior player.
After Holly Aitchison’s departure for Sale Sharks Bears need her presence desperately. I saw Lucie Scuse play very promisingly for England U20s several seasons ago, but Bears released her last year only to re-engage her.
They, like so many other clubs, are desperate to reach the final four, but last weekend were taken apart by Trailfinders. Will Demant provide the golden key?
I recall commenting a year or two back about Black Ferns coming over in droves to play in England. That was firmly tongue in cheek; but now NZR recognise the Ferns’ need for regular high-quality rugby; Demant comes with their blessing.
But another matter intrudes. Very soon a new Director of Performance will be announced. How will he or she react to having six (or even more) players arriving home at the last moment before preparations begin to defend their Pacific Four series trophy? A new head coach needs every possible minute to stamp his or her mark on a newly assembled squad and an altered game-plan.
Canada are used to rare gatherings, New Zealand far less so.
Round Four complete
Exeter Chiefs v Harlequins
This was what the league needs, a really tight game, fought to the last second. The margins in the three previous games had been 74, 23 and 16.
Chiefs had to work hard to ensure an invaluable five home points; a single score separated the sides at the end.
Every try sees the ball finish at or over the line; the oddity at Sandy Park was that all but one of them came from close in. Even Chiefs’ one score by a back, Alex Tessier, saw the ball run across the field close in.
The exception came, almost inevitably, from Ellie Kildunne. She received the ball moving left, shimmied and left four arms grasping air.
Sadly for Quins, she can’t win every game on her own. They have already lost three matches.
Chiefs were delighted to welcome back Dorothy Wall and to see a crowd of 2,314 turn out.
Their win hoists them above Trailfinders into third place.
Result: Chiefs 26 Quins 19
Afterthought
One Gloucester-Hartpury fan posted a wish: that MASIE ALLEN would transfer her affections to his club. He (it must be a he) thought she looked rather promising.
How smug can you get?
It’s as if he had never heard of her – he certainly can’t spell her name (Maisie) – and seems unaware she has already played for England.
The comment displays all that I dislike about the current G-H set-up: self-satisfaction and an inbuilt certainty that the club will walk off with a fourth consecutive title.
James Forrester arrived at the club after a short stint in charge of GB Sevens. He decided money, and plenty of it, was the answer, and obtained it.
What the league needs above all is competition and uncertainty.
Judging GH’s “set-up” on one fan’s comment is pretty pathetic. A lot of people are new to the Womens’ game so will take time to learn about players etc. As for money, GH invested 2021-2022 in a few forwards, some of whom without clubs, as they went out of business (if you recall)…no major signings since, nearly all originals & newbies from their Uni pathway, nearly all available for England or Wales. Wasn’t it 10+ of the Roses in that final that originated in that pathway? 4 that been at GH for years, 24 in the World Cup (all from these Isles). Looks like a pretty good “set up” to me.
I did not base my verdict on one comment but can’t fit every piece of evidence into a single piece. G-H have the immeasurable advantage of the unique college (school + university in one) that attracts top talent. Fine.. But if you care to read through all the comments made by G-H fans, you may understand my point.
As a G-H season ticket holder, I don’t think that we have a sense a ‘self-satisfaction’. Sure, there’s pride in the results over the past 3 seasons, but the fact that Jango convinced the Gloucester board to invest is a reflection on a) his business talents b) their long term view.
Since then, as Karl states, there have been very few signings (Kate Williams is one of the few) but there is an extremely good pathway. However, Chiefs have the same with Exeter Uni, Lightning have the same with Loughborough and both of those universities are generally more high prestige and held in wider regard than Hartpury.
And as for ‘certainty that the club will walk off with a 4th title’ I simply ask you to look at how good Chiefs looked in the 1st half of last season. A few injuries (e.g. Mo and Al) and G-H will be a wholly different proposition. So, no, there is no ‘certainty’ but there is pride in the G-H supporters for their club, appreciation of the hard work the women put in and enjoyment of the success.