After the Six Nations break we had three rip-roaring games and two sad affairs, the effect of the way the RFU has managed the reshaping of the league for the next season.
Gloucester-Hartpury re-established their place at the head of the queue, partly because Chiefs had to travel to the StoneX, whence few emerge with victors’ laurels.
Most of the Red Roses were on view. Contracts are to be announced, but when? With the complicated changes to the people in authority we must hope the players aren’t left in the dark as we are. Though their presence added enormously to the quality, games weren’t error-free; teams had to re-adapt to new combinations. Every game saw 50-point totals exceeded, leaving attack coaches happier than their defence colleagues.
Results:
Saturday:
Harlequins 80 Wasps 7
Sale Sharks 24 Bristol Bears 49
UWW 48 DMP 7
Sunday:
Loughborough 26 Gloucester-Hartpury 40
Saracens 29 Exeter Chiefs 22
Sarries v Chiefs
At the StoneX one crucial factor in Saracens’ defeat of the leaders was Hannah Botterman’s first appearance for them this season. HB’s presence at the set-scrum gave her team an initial advantage that proved decisive by the end.
Chiefs were under immediate pressure; they made uncharacteristic errors, and inside 15 minutes Harry Walbaum issued a warning to the captain, Poppy Leitch. Even worse, moments later Hope Rogers was shown a yellow, at a set-scrum of all places! Botterman took advantage to score the opening try. Liv McGoverne unwisely kicked ahead into Holly Aitchison’s arms; a dummy and a run and Lotte Clapp was in for the second.
At last Chiefs found a response; a clever chip ahead by McGoverne allowed Kate Zackary to round the defence. (12-5)
Leanne Infante sent a long pass right to Jess Breach; she drew two defenders to put Coreen Grant clear. (17-5) But before the break DaLeaka Menin showed her pace to reach the line and give Devonians hope.
Half-time 17-12
Sarries took the initiative at the restart: Botterman was held just short of the line, but the newly capped May Campbell had no trouble forcing her way through. (24-12) The hosts seemed to have made the game safe when quick hands allowed Sarah McKenna to dot down on the left. (29-12)
Chiefs fought their way back into contention. A fine movement started with an excellent break on the right edge by Eilidh Sinclair and ended with Kate Buchanan crossing the line on the other side. (29-17) As the clock ran down, Chiefs’ main aim was to ensure at least a bonus point. Some way past 80 minutes their constant pressure (and a series of Sarries’ penalties) paid dividends; yet another try for Maisy Allen. Her performances are gaining increasing attention.
In Brief: Quins v Wasps
Two of the five matches were the equivalent of the 1995 movie ‘Dead Man Walking’, DMP Sharks and Wasps were long ago consigned to the wilderness, so their opponents, Worcester and Quins respectively, could take little credit from their wins. DMP did well to limit UWW to under 50 points, and both they and Wasps had the consolation of scoring a converted try on the dot of half-time.
Quins were again kind enough to provide a friendly livestream, led by Dave Rogers, but the recurrent weakness of their operation is the imbalance of the co-commentators waxing lyrical about the home team, but telling us very little about the visiting side.
Three of the Quins players to enjoy themselves on the park were Ellie Kildunne (four tries), Abby Dow and Bryony Cleal, all ex-wasps, and Dow isn’t even staying at the Stoop, preferring to rejoin Giselle Mather at Trailfinders.
A 73-point margin does little to brighten the image of the AP 15s, but it raises Quins’ hopes of reaching the knock-outs again.
Wasps’ woes make you wonder once more how vigorous the RFU’s inspection of finances was when it allowed them back into the fold three years ago.
Player of the match: Jade Konkel-Roberts
In Brief: Lightning v Glos-Pury
At Franklin’s Gardens G-H had to work hard to subdue Lightning, as the Violet and Pinks once more rejected their native heath for the more famous stadium down south. But the visitors lead the table for good reasons: they play a fluent, wide-ranging game, with game-turners operating all over the shop. Lightning did well to put them under pressure in the final stages, but by then the gap had widened too far. Helena Rowland’s return gave them far more impetus, making us wonder how much better they might have done this year with Emily Scarratt and Sarah Hunter also free from injury.
Player of the Match: Emma Sing
In Brief: Sale v Bristol
This was a really positive game in Cheshire. Bristol were intent on securing their place in the semi-finals, but Sale were good enough to gain a try bonus point (hat-trick to Hollie Bawden), which must cause the Bears’ defence staff some concern.
Sale’s current position of seventh can give them a real sense of achievement; their first two years in the big time were tough. Now they have put together five wins. It’s been achieved by other means than those stated when they joined the AP15s. Then it was to build a centre of excellence in the north.
Afterthoughts
The doubts remaining about the play-offs are twofold:
- that all-important fourth place, Bears currently 4 points ahead of Quins; who gets to play at home?
- Bears have a marginally tougher run-in than Quins, I’ll leave the rest of the guesswork to you.
Coming Fixtures:
G-H play Quins at home, Sale away and Chiefs at home
Chiefs play Bears away, Wasps at home and G-H away
Sarries play UWW away, Bears at home and Lightning away
Quins play Chiefs at home, Saracens away and Wasps away
Table P W L Pts
Gloucester-H 15 14 1 69
Exeter 15 13 2 65
Saracens 15 12 3 60
Bristol 15 10 5 51
Harlequins 15 9 6 47
UWW 15 6 9 35
Sale 15 5 10 25
Lightning 15 5 10 23
DMPS 15 2 13 10
Wasps 15 0 15 1
