Saturday saw two intense matches played, then a more one-sided affair in the north-west.
Exeter Chiefs v Trailfinders
The Londoners made the running at the start, taking advantage of the low sun in Chiefs’ eyes. Ella Amory kicked a threatening 50:22, but the line-out misfired. Despite appearances it was to be the set-scrum that proved their Achilles heel.
For the moment their handling was so fast that Chiefs found themselves infringing. A catch-and-drive brought a first try to Cristina Blanco, converted from the edge by Emma Taylor (0-7)
TF’s strategy was interesting: they didn’t attack from anywhere; instead, Caity Mattinson hoisted four box-kicks in ten minutes to clear into Chiefs’ half; then they let the ball do the work. Chiefs replied in kind, but at this stage the odd error was halting them.
It was sad seeing Maisy Allen depart injured after 11 minutes, but, as is the way with PWR, Chiefs could call up Rachel Johnson to discount the loss.
Two moments were to cost TF more dearly than they realised: Annabel Meta was held up over the line, then a kick-pass to Dow flew into touch. 10 or 14 points gone.
The referee needed sixteen minutes to find an excuse for a scrum, and the picture changed; Chiefs blasted the opposition off the ball. Still, TF kept possession and kicked for territory.
Exeter finally got the cogs turning on 25 minutes. The final pass to Sabrina Poulin was near her laces, but she collected and was over. (5-7) Trouble was, the ref kept finding fault with the hosts at the breakdown. Taylor potted a penalty to keep her team ahead. (5-10)
The pace of the game was unremitting. Poulin did well to haul Dow down from behind as she careered infield at pace. At last Chiefs got their reward for scrum superiority, Johnson on the end of a drive. (10-10). Just before the break they infringed again. Taylor went for another kick at goal.
Half-time 10-13
TF had had the better of the argument till now, but the odds swung as the Chiefs pack got to work. TF had to opt for a line-out since they couldn’t trust their scrum. As they crumbled at another one, Liz Crake opened her mouth and was invited to retreat another 10 metres. As Chiefs drove at the line, Cliodhna Moloney scored and Andrea Stock saw yellow for pulling down. (17-13)
Across the following spell Chiefs were right on top. The AR disallowed Poulin a try on the left, but there was a penalty coming on the right anyway. Clara Nielson then Hope Rogers both scored tries (who needs Rogers on at the start? Not Chiefs!) 29-13
To their great credit TF came back hard. Mattinson, very active throughout, found Dow with an extra long pass, and she had the strength to squeeze in. Then a surprise: a big Chiefs’ attack left the ball at Julia Schell’s feet and she ran the length. (29-25) Both sides had their bonus point.
The ref’s watch refused to agree with the screen-clock which showed 79 minutes. Lindelwa Gwala lost the ball as she drove at the line to regain the lead. The whistle didn’t go; in fact Chiefs kept up their counter. Alex Tessier’s long clearance led to a huge attack, the ball finishing in Lori Cramer’s hands over the line.
A great game; a credit to both sides.
Result: 36-25
Harlequins v Loughborough Lightning
Another intense match at the Stoop. It was appropriate that, with so many big names returning to action, the final score was as dramatic as you please.
Bo Westcombe-Evans had to leave the field on the quarter-mark, but not before she had added another try to her name. One more familiar note: conversion by Emily Scarratt.
It took Quins half-an-hour to cut out untidy errors long enough for Connie Powell to finish a pack drive. Then disaster for Lightning: Scarratt took deliberate aim for a short kick-pass. It was snaffled by Lisa Neumann who had a short run to the line. A very rare misjudgement.
Just as our commentator, Dave Rogers, mentioned the about-to-return Alev Kelter, Bulou Mataitoga made a huge run through Quins’ ranks. The result was a try to Laura Keates.
H-T 10-14
A sharp move behind a line-out saw Megan Davey put the visitors further ahead. 10-19
It took Quins a long while to respond. Finally Carys Phillips plonked the ball down over the line to bring them within shouting-distance. (15-19) Lagi Tuima missed another chance to close the gap.
The audience had to wait till the 74th minute for the show to really begin. The Quins pack earned a rise by winning a decision on their own line. Konkel and Tuima drove towards the 22, then the ball spread to the left edge. From there, still inside the red zone, it was Ellie Kildunne versus the world. She won.
In retrospect Lightning may wonder about their positive mindset: several times they opted for the kick to the corner, no questions asked. Fine, but they lost by three points. It does need a water-tight line-out and a compact drive to ensure the seven points.
Quins’ faces showed their emotions; they got away with that one.
Result: 22-19
And then…
The third game was rather different. Bristol Bears recovered from their Round 3 loss to top fifty points against struggling Sale Sharks. Bears were three scores up within twelve minutes; it was 5-38 at the interval. Let’s say Sharks did well to score, but both tries came from driving mauls.
They remain pointless in the table. Is help at hand?
Results:
Harlequins 22 Loughborough Lightning 19
Exeter Chiefs 36 Trailfinders 25
Sale Sharks 10 Bristol Bears 57
