Leicester Tigers v Quins
Pride of place in Round 6 must go to Tigers. They gained their first league point of the season with a fourth try.
They had two slim advantages: they were at home, and Quins’ injury list may have been even longer than Bristol’s.
Sure, Tigers didn’t win; they coughed up 56 points, but the joy that erupted at Charlotte Daley’s try (their 4th) was so intense that it caused a scuffle between the teams by the publicity boards behind Quins’ line.
I think it is called the professional game.
Insignificant as this one point may seem in the grand scheme of things, it means there are nine combative clubs in the league again.
The PWR board may feel relieved too.
The staff have done well to maintain confidence at Welford Road. Now defences need tightening.
The Tigers played out of their skins; it was a heartening performance.
Quins may well feel satisfied too. They had almost a complete XV missing.
One curiosity was that five of their eight tries were scored by the hookers: the first three by Carys Phillips, the fourth and fifth by the returning Connie Powell.
The golden moment came right at the end: Ellie Kildunne scored another stunner from the other end of town.
Result: Leicester Tigers 28 Quins 56
Gloucester-Hartpury v Trailfinders
For the second time in their short time at the top table TF came within a whisker of undoing the eternal champions, G-H.
Eleven months ago they went down 33-31. Today it was even tighter. See below.
It must be admitted that it needed a late burst to get that close, but even so.
On the three-quarter mark Sarah Beckett drove over to make the game look pretty safe at 29-14.
But in the last palpitating moments TF reinforced their reputation as a totally attack- minded side. They’d found life tough at the set-piece, but, led by the magical Meg Jones, they created two late tries. Alana Borland had her second, and Niamh Gallagher, the increasingly impressive Irish youngster, the other.
Spectators found their hands clenched unpleasantly hard. Even the man on the Kingsholm Tannoy had to bellow his support to rouse the troops.
When the Cherry and Whites won yet another line-out (that Zoe Stratford is some player), Lleucu George was only too relieved to ping the ball into touch.
The hosts had their sixth bonus point safely stowed, to ensure a full return from six matches.
Though TF had both the points available to a losing side, a bit of consistency would be welcome: two whopping wins against Sharks and Bears, today’s uplifting performance, but two sizeable defeats in between.
If they continue signing up Black Ferns all season long, they’ll never get to know each other properly.
Rosie Inman did well, stepping into the boots of a sadly ACL-afflicted Julia Schell.
The PWR site terms this the game of the round. It may have been, but I find the Welford Road contest far more significant.
Result: Gloucester-Hartpury 29 Trailfinders 28
Exeter Chiefs v Bristol Bears
Like Quins, Bears’ injury list covers the whole of the treatment-room door.
Unlike them they had to face a quality side away from home.
The visitors’ besetting sins remain. They are committed to the handling game, but errors keep halting progress.
It will be fascinating to see whether game-plans are adjusted, now that Ruahei Demant has been installed at No 10. She played a vital role in keeping Bristol afloat, but Chiefs’ strength up front proved conclusive.
Imagine: when Steve Salvin did call his bench to action, on trotted DaLeaka Menin and Emily Tuttosi!
Add to them a quite outstanding performance by Maisy Allen; she jackalled and tackled, but added to these everyday chores by kicking deep, chasing and scoring like any flyaway winger.
On this and other showings John Mitchell may have added her name to his England wish-list, not in pencil but indelible ink.
Millie David completed a fine try, linking with Ella Lovibond, but by then Chiefs were already two scores up. Abby Duguid had their first, then Flo Robinson profited from a massive scrum to snipe over.
By half-time the hosts were sitting pretty at 22-5.
Bears had good moments on their return, but were quite unable to dominate events. These were controlled by Liv McGoverne (excellent with the boot) and her cohorts. They were far more comfortable sustaining moves or reacting to sudden overturns.
It was a sign of the times that we waited till the 50th minute to see Emna Orr showing her skills. Her try proved the visitors’ only contribution of the half.
The game was played at pace – almost a commonplace these days – but the Chiefs were far less error-prone.
Result: Exeter Chiefs 41 Bristol Bears 10
Still to come: Sarries v Lightning
