This was the last round before making way for the Six Nations. Clubs were intent on leaving themselves in the best possible shape for the end-of-season tussles.
Glos-Pury were given the headstart that the race-leaders might expect: they had TNT cameras present (can’t think why), Sara Cox in charge (can think why), and they could get their fixture out of the way, then watch all their competitors struggle to emulate their achievements.
Results:
Friday 8 March
Gloucester-Hartpury 57 Harlequins 24 (Kingsholm Stadium)
Saturday 9 March
Sale Sharks 10 Trailfinders Women 26 (at Salford Community Stadium)
Exeter Chiefs 43 Loughborough Lightning 7 (at Sandy Park)
Sunday 10 March
Bristol Bears 35 Saracens 10 (at Shaftesbury Park)
Friday
Gloucester-Hartpury v Harlequins
What has happened to Quins? It would be fascinating to know the inside story at this proud club. Since Amy Turner was called in the Stoop has seen shoals of top players leave; the latest is Bryony Cleall, who a day or two later announced she was returning to Saracens, a path trodden by Rosie Galligan, Jess Breach and, less directly, Leanne Infante.
To leak over 50 points, even away to the race-leaders, is a real downer. They may have taken an early lead through Shaunagh Brown and fallen only 12-21 behind at half-time, but a further 36 points in the second half need some explaining.
For G-H this was lucky 13, their thirteenth consecutive victory, which outstrips Saracens’ best run. It qualifies them for a home fixture in the play-off semi-finals. Nel Metcalfe, one of Wales’ young hopefuls, covered herself in glory with a hat-trick.
Referee: Sara Cox
ARs: James Pidding and Mike Woods TMO: Nikki O’Donnell
Saturday
Sale Sharks v Trailfinders Women
It’s cold and blowy for soft Southerners at Salford Stadium, but Trailfinders pretend not to notice and put on a show.
Kate Zackary has done it before for TF, but not from so far out: a pick-up from a scrum and a run to the line. Even worse for the Sharks, Rosie Inman makes up for an attacking grubber that runs just too far. Benefiting from an inside pass by Vicky Laflin, she has a walk-in for the visitors’ second.
It’s tricky keeping up with the number of line-out overthrows these days, especially ones delivered close to the defenders’ own line. This time Emma Swords is the grateful receiver. Once more the backs are proving what a handful they can be.
Half-time: 0-19
The third quarter proves shabbier than before, neither side able to turn chances into points. Nick James at last gets her team on the board after a drive to the line. 5-19
But barely four minutes later they undo the good work, allowing Zackary through for her second and the invaluable bonus point. 5-26
One consolation for Sale is a last-minute try; another driving maul is completed by Niamh Swailes. But this means a twelfth loss of the season. It’s meant to be the newbies who face bleak times. A final consolation is a record attendance for a home game.
This was TF’s fourth win of the season. Next year it’s up to them to add victories against top teams.
Result: 10-26
Referee: Mike Hudson
ARs: Gregg Dawson and Darryl Chapman
Exeter Chiefs v Loughborough Lightning
The usual Atlantic breeze was in Chiefs’ favour at the start and play was limited to the visitors’ half. Both sides were guilty of handling errors, but the crowd could enjoy an early face to face between two pretenders to the England 7 shirt, Maisy Allen and Sadia Kabeya.
The first decisive moment came when Chiefs threw in crook at a line-out. To most people’s surprise Lightning opted for another throw. Was it inevitable that the ball fell into the oppositions’ hands?
Several thrusting phases later DaLeaka Menin showed her midfield skills to run past grasping arms to the line. 7-0
A self-inflicted wound.
There was another injury concern as Katie Buchanan had to be replaced shortly after. Are England really running out of wingers? As Kanako Kobayashi came on, Lightning suddenly found their way. Another overthrow allowed them to advance to the Chief’s 22, then right to the line, helped by two short bursts by Emily Scarratt. The referee spotted the ball under a pile of bodies and awarded the try to Rachel Malcolm. Helena Rowland slotted a wonderful kick into the wind. 7-7
Lightning did well to keep Chiefs’ powerful forwards at bay. They were building neat moves with Nichola Fryday, Emily Tuttosi and the captain prominent, but Lightning held out for the first quarter. Let’s hope Ireland don’t miss Fryday too much in the Six Nations. She played thoroughly well on her 50th apprearance for the Chiefs.
Then another concerted move did for Lightning. Chiefs built patiently, but finished with sharp accurate passes to Kobayashi on the far left. 12-7
Chiefs added one of the longest phases of the season, a tribute both to their accuracy and Lightning’s strong defence. But a breakdown penalty in front of the posts gave Hope Rogers the easiest of taps and a blast from five metres. 19-7
As Richard Gordon was looking forward to his cuppa, Lightning built their best attack so far. Chiefs had to commit to a heap of tackles, but when the first Lightning error crept in, it was time for the break.
Half-time 19-7
The big question had to be: was a 12-point lead enough, with Lightning about to enjoy the rest of the gale? Nelson, Rowland and Scarratt could all exploit it.
They certainly tried; kick after kick soared into the air, but Chiefs were prepared and countered. They showed great accuracy in building another phase which ended with the ball working out to the far left for Kobayashi to register her second.
By the time she got her third, on 78 minutes, Chiefs had put the game to bed. They now topped 40 points and demonstrated again the difference between the top four sides and the rest.
Lightning may have leading players in their ranks, plus any number of other internationals, but the overall standard isn’t high enough. The errors they make tend to be more costly their opponents’.
Result: 43-7
Referee: Richard Gordon
ARs: James Cornell and Simon Adams
Sunday
Bristol Bears v Saracens on Mother’s Day
Only 17 Red Roses on view today! But Bears were facing a vertical ice-wall (not sure what make of Bear this is – Polar bear?) Sarries had won every game between the two clubs across the new era. But just look at the 2024 Bears’ line-up!
They got away to a blistering start, two goals up in seven minutes! (tries to Phoebe Murray and Reneeqa Bonner) 14-0
It took Sarries all of eighteen minutes to get into the game; a quick tap by Leanne Infante, and Georgia Evans had the strength to get over the line. 14-7
A penalty to Zoe Harrison from narrowed the gap further.
Half-time: 14-10
So much to play for on their return: bonus points vital for the Bears.
Dave Ward must have said something inside. Two minutes after the restart Lark Atkin-Davies added another try to her album. 21-10
Near the three-quarter mark the game shifts further towards the hosts. Sarries yield a sequence of penalties and Murray is over for her second; that’s a crucial bonus point. 28-10. For the rest of the game Bears put in a magnificent effort. Just to prove their superiority, Bonner crosses for her second as the curtain is about to come down.
I’ll allow you (and Optajonny) to hunt for the last time Sarries registered nul points in a second half. In my preview I was brash enough to write: ‘On Sunday we’ll see what the Bears are really made of. Are they true Championship material, or just pretending?’ Now we know. Just gawp at that margin!
Result: 35-10
Teams
Bristol Bears
1 Botterman 2 Atkin-Davies 3 Clarke 4 Cunningham 5 Ward (co-captain) 6 A. Joyce-Butchers 7 Gallagher 8 R. Marston-Mulhearn 9 Bevan 10 Aitchison 11 Lovibond 12 Reed (co-captain) 13 Murray 14 Bonner 15 Hesketh
16 Skeldon 17 Pam 18 Pyrs 19 Burns 20 Balogun 21 Burgess 22 M. Smith 23 Keight
Saracens
1 Clifford 2 Campbell 3 Rose 4 McIntosh 5 Galligan 6 McMillan 7 Kasolo 8 Evans 9 Infante 10 Harrison 11 Clapp (captain) 12 Bridger 13 Gregson 14 Farries 15 Breach
16 Field 17 Gondwe 18 B. Cleall 19 Taylor 20 Moore 21 Sellors 22 Blacklock 23 Grant
Referee: Adam Leal
ARs: Andy Wigley and Ian Bibey
Table P W D L Pts
Glos-Pury 13 13 0 0 64
Saracens 12 10 0 2 50
Exeter 13 8 1 4 47
Bears 13 9 0 4 46
Lightning 12 5 0 7 27
Trailfinders 12 4 0 8 23
Harlequins 12 3 1 8 23
Tigers 12 2 0 10 8
Sale 13 1 0 12 3
Afterthoughts
The RFU has added an invaluable record @ www.englandrugby.com/england/player-records#women – containing all manner of details from the past.
They force me to adjust claims I have made recently. Emily Scarratt has scored only 53 test tries, not 57, as I had been given to believe. The other four must have been for the Under 9s she once played for. Apologies.
Nel Metcalfe is a valuable recent addition to Welsh colours; a native of north Wales, a participant in the Celtic Challenge, and enjoying life with Glos-Pury. Will the club ever come to regret its dependence on Welsh players? Ten in the current national squad – that’s a lot.
Bryony Cleall’s return to NW4 marks a strange turn and turnabout. It was she who informed her Sarries’ team-mates that her sister was returning hotfoot from Bristol. This time it was Poppy telling the world of her sister’s return.
Fascinating to see coaches continuing the trend of early substitutions even in the most critical games.
