Saracens v Gloucester-Hartpury
You could argue this contest between the two runaway leaders in the PWR was of little consequence. Both were sure of a home tie in the semis, both were likely to reach the final, and it would take place on neutral territory at the Twickenham Stoop.
That completely ignores bragging rights. Any time these two meet it’s no-holds barred.
The game failed to reach the technical heights; scrum followed scrum, but tension simmered throughout.
Liv Apps made the first thrust with a wonderful gallop from 40 metres out.
Later she was forced to retire after coming off second best in a clash with Sarah Beckett. Her loss did Sarries no favours.
Alex Matthews powered over from a set-scrum to equalise. Then one of Sarries’ best moves saw a Jess Breach grubber help put Alysha Corrigan away for a second try.
The half was distinctly scrappy, but a second Matthews try heightened the drama. Again a scrum screwed clockwise, allowing the No 8 to drive past a hapless No 9, Tori Sellors, to the line.
Half-time: 14-12
Spectators had to wait ages for the next score. The Glos-Pury pack drove relentlessly at the line, but this time the ball spread wide right to Hannah Dallavalle. Her try put the visitors ahead at last. 14-17
Zoe Harrison was asked to kick a penalty; despite the strong breeze she succeeded. Not another draw surely? 17-17
Tempers frayed in the closing minutes. Both sides claimed they should have been awarded more penalties. Mo Hunt tussled with Sara Cox for the right to officiate the game, but Cox seemed unwilling to resort to yellow cards… until the 77th minute, when Marlie Packer stuck a hand out trying to intercept a pass.
Glos-pury’s pack, so often the deciding factor in close games, now laid siege to the home line. Sarries defended for all they were worth, but a final pick and go saw Matthews clinch the full five points and her own hat-trick.
Result: Saracens 17 Gloucester-Hartpury 22
Player of the Match: Alex Matthews
Teams
Sarries: 1 CLIFFORD 2 CAMPBELL 3 ROSE 4 ROYER 5 OMOKHUALE 6 SENFT 7 M. PACKER 8 CLEALL 9 APPS 10 HARRISON 11 SHARP 12 BRIDGER 13 HARDY 14 CORRIGAN 15 BREACH
16 FIELD 17 CRAKE 18 TREMELLING 19 McMILLAN 20 EVANS 21 SELLORS 22 MACDOUGALL 23 WILLS
Glos-pury: 1 O’DOWD 2 K. JONES 3 MUIR 4 MONAGHAN 5 BECKETT 6 LEWIS 7 BROCK 8 MATTHEWS 9 HUNT 10 GEORGE 11 LUND 12 HEARD 13 DALLAVALLE 14 VENNER 15 SING
16 SIMPSON 17 SAMUDA 18 TUIPULOTI 19 ELSE 20 COPSON 21 BLACKBURN 22 GOULDEN 23 BUNKER
Referee: Sara Cox
Afterthoughts
This season sees yet another two-horse race. Its a full 15 points between second and third I’ll leave you to decide whether that is in the best interests of English rugby.
It’s noteworthy that each side at the StoneX boasted only nine NEQPs, well below the average figure.
Still no Zoe Stratford in the Gloucester ranks.
Nor even the head coach of finalists at the 2025 RWC plus a host of Canadian silver-medallists could ensure victory.
Table
I can offer you two versions:
The PWR’s:
1. Glos-Pury 59 points
2. Sarries 55
3. Chiefs 40
4. Quins 35
5. Sharks 32
6. TF 32
7. Lightning 30
8. Bears 25
9. Tigers 1
Or the BBC’s:
1. Glos-Pury 60
2. Sarries 56
3. Chiefs 41
4. Quins 35
5. Sharks 33
6. TF 32
7. Bears 25
8. Lightning 1
9. Tigers 1
Take your pick.
Till recently the “official” PWR table had Tigers on nul points. Presumably the many complaints brought an adjustment.
Note: Bears, G-H, Lightning, Tigers and Trailfinders have played one game fewer than the others.
