Drama all across the British Isles

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There was so much rugby going on this weekend that I’ll limit myself to a few facts and some debatable conclusions.

First, results:

PWR

Bristol Bears 30 Sale Sharks 29
Exeter Chiefs 36 Leicester Tigers 0
Gloucester-Hartpury 45 Loughborough Lightning 26

Celtic Challenge

Glasgow Warriors 31 Clovers 38
Wolfhounds 38 Gwalia Lightning 10
Edinburgh Rugby 7 Brython Thunder 14

Quite unbelievably we were subjected to a second 1-point win in a single round. (I’ve already reported on the Friday night game in Ealing).

It wasn’t the first time Keira Bevan has been asked to pot a penalty at the twelfth hour; she earned the undying gratitude of her club.

Bears may grumble about the length of their injury list, but they could still turn out a decent side. Sharks should certainly have won the game; they were on the Bears’ line when they suffered a costly last-minute turnover. Back to the other end, and they conceded that penalty.

They led 22-10 at the break, but let the Bears in for two costly tries just after. They are a really strong outfit these days, just unused to winning.

The two other games raise other questions to which I don’t have easy answers; I suspect the PWR board doesn’t either.

a. Tigers’ fate. They had one or two good moments, but overall lacked the skills and pace to defy Chiefs. Is the board really happy with their current position?

As I suspected, Steve Salvin was prepared to send out a less than first-choice side. The loyal fans didn’t mind, but how convinced would prospective backers be of a result like this? In the time-worn gag: “We were lucky to score 0”.

b. At the other end of the table come the Circus, as Gloucester-Hartpury like to be known. They are now as omnipotent as Sarries used to be.

One reason is the status of Hartpury College, a school and university combined, unique in the land. That combination of schooling + university course + rugby has attracted ambitious youngsters from across the country and overseas. Count up the Red Roses from that source.

Second, James Forrester arrived, deciding that cash was the short route to success. It’s still hard to discover what caused him to become another coach to leave GB Sevens, like Charlie Hayter.

So Glos-Pury look as unbeatable as Wolfhounds in the Celtic Challenge.

The Hounds are practically the Irish side on wheels. They look as certain winners of their national trophy as their English counterparts of theirs.

Better news comes with the advance of the two Welsh sides. Gwalia Lightning are threatening Clovers for second spot, and Brython Thunder achieved the result of the weekend by defeating Edinburgh away 14-7. They and their coaches deserve great praise.

This is the win Sharks would have loved to achieve.

Clashes & Priorities

The global calendar may be in place, but it didn’t prevent Welsh players needing to be in two places at once.

One example: the outstanding prospect, Maisie Davies, might have been playing for Gwalia this weekend, but she signed for Bristol last summer, so the Bears had first call on her services. GB 7s were also in action, causing another clash.

Some are more equal than others.

One revealing detail was the contrast in viewing figures between the CC and PWR. Even more telling, the contrast in spectator numbers, both in favour of the English.

But it’s noticeable that PWR Ltd. still offers percentage increases in attendance, not precise numbers. We aren’t allowed to know whether they match the board’s predictions or not. I suspect they don’t. Clubs are making great efforts to encourage more fans to come. The figures are growing, but fast and far enough?

Wales

The one home nation that causes the greatest concern is Wales.

It’s little surprise to learn that Sean Lynn may not announce his 6 Nations squad till March. That is ridiculously late, but he needs to inspect the CC for as long as possible. And the PWR at the same time; I’ve already mentioned Bevan and Davies.

At least he’ll be pleased to see the advances Brython and Gwalia are making.

The plans proposed by the WRU bosses are pie in the sky (a four-team Cymru league?!), but that may be a silver lining we can spot over black Welsh skies.

A refereeing novelty

Natarsha Ganley, one of New Zealand’s RWC referees, has started a spell officiating in PWR matches. That is an insightful advance for women’s rugby.

She oversaw the game at Sandy Park. How was that choice made? A ticket pulled out of a hat or an easy game to start off; a one-sided job with no crucial issues at stake? I hope the former. She looked totally in command, as you’d expect.

Basic Tables

First PWR:

1. Glos-Pury 40 points
2. Sarries 35
3. Quins 28
4. Chiefs 27
5. TF 22
6. Lightning 22
7. Sharks 14
8. Bears 10
9. Tigers 1

CC:

1. Wolfhounds 29 points
2. Clovers 23
3. Gwalia 22
4. Warriors 9
5. Edinburgh 5
6. Brython 5

That’s a worrying gap between the top and bottom three clubs.

In both leagues it’s the top 4 who get to the play-offs. There’s plenty of competition for that fourth place, but once the semi-finalists are known, there will be little or no doubt who will walk off with the pot.