Christmas sees Saracens sitting top of the league, but equal on points with Gloucester-Hartpury who have played one fewer.
Lightning v Trailfinders
The tingliest game took place at Franklin’s Gardens. The two clubs have a habit of producing tight finishes: this was the tightest.
Let’s go back to front.
In the 79th minute Rosie Inman completed a fine movement by offering a tiny dummy in a 2 v 2. By securing a vital conversion she seemed to have made the game safe, 22-29.
Oh, no!
Lightning took advantage of a wayward kick to put huge pressure on defences. Suddenly Fancy Bermudez, only just on, burst away and over the line.
Now it needed Helen Nelson to add two vital points. She didn’t fail.
And further back…
It comes as little surprise that the half-time score was 12-12.
Both sides favoured their open fast-paced style, but in the opening quarter errors undid good intentions.
On 21 minutes it was a worry for the visitors seeing Meg Jones leaving the field with an arm injury. The club and England must hope it proves less troublesome than first seemed. She had been a dominating presence till then.
When Abi Burton also went missing later, that was TFs’ two Red Roses gone. It entailed much reshuffling of cards. It helps show their resilience that they came from behind to gain that lead.
Their efforts were characterised by another late try came to skipper Kate Zackary out on the left wing.
On balance we must call this a disappointment for the home team. One area that needs urgent attention is their susceptibility to penalties. They kept bringing the opposition back into the game.
At the other extreme was Sadia Kabeya. Her two tries were her reward for an outstanding performance.
Both sides took three points from this dramatic duel.
Brief Notes on three matches
Quins and Bears played out the Big Match at Twickenham with all the razzamatazz we associate with the occasion.
Quins don’t organise it according to the opposition. Here it was Bristol, still suffering badly from injuries. Scott Lawson spoke of his “young players”, a term normally reserved for Leicester Tigers in this context.
But I still wonder whether the staff are making best use of resources available.
For spectators who turned up merely to see Ellie Kildunne, runner-up in the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year (for overseas readers, a unparalleled achievement for a female rugby player in its 70-year history) – they didn’t have to wait long.
An unwise kick downfield fell into her arms; she advanced, chipped ahead, and the ball bounced up obediently into her hands as two defenders vainly tried to halt her progress.
Trouble is, she does this so often, it risks looking simple.
Unfortunately the game was disfigured by yellow cards.
Result: Quins 38 Bears 12
Sharks v Saracens
The two S’s met in the north-west with Sarries dead set on maintaining their pole position. They achieved it with a certain difficulty, leading at half-time only 5-14.
But that is a familiar position for them. After the break they more than doubled their score. It would be fascinating to know how much Kevin Rouet is adding to the brew.
For some people this was a battle of the Number 10s; Holly Aitchison and Zoe Harrison. But HA’s position was weakened by her pack’s inability to create time, space and ball.
What made things worse for the hosts was the presence of Liv Apps. She was absolutely everywhere; finding and exploiting gaps in brick walls, then artfully covering back to seal off counter-attacks. She is putting in a strong bid as the best No 9 in the business.
Result: Sharks 17 Sarries 36
Leicester Tigers v Gloucester-Hartpury
The BBC’s publicity department previewed this contest as an “blockbuster”. I’m not sure that would pass the Trade Descriptions Act.
Dan Murphy won’t admit he sent out a ‘B’ XV, but just count up the Red Roses you can spot in the stand over there.
Tigers battled bravely; but at this level courage isn’t enough. The Cherry and Whites (not in those hues today of course) ran up a cool 75 points.
Emma Sing had kicked ten out of ten, but her final effort failed in the 82nd minute! She may still not finish top of the points-scorers unless she can continue her try-scoring efforts. She’s pretty useful there too.
Publicity
In addition to the BBCs naughty use of “blockbuster”, I’m sure I heard a Saracen’s source claiming they were the ONLY London club. I do have a sense of humour, but such a statement risks confirming the club’s in-built haughtiness. Bertie Wooster used to call it hauteur.
We now suffer that baffling 5-week break. The men’s Championship restarts on 3 January.
