Trailfinders v Leicester Tigers
Barney Maddison made no fewer than nine changes to his team. We could guess why.
When TF had posted three tries in eight minutes, we were sure.
The opening two came to Vicky Laflin on the left: the first was a fine run, but involved a gaping missed tackle. Ella Amory, operating today at 10, gave her the other; a delightful cross-kick bounced, but Laflin still had time to collect and dot down.
A neat move brought Cara Brincat a try after a very long absence.
Tigers were full of endeavour but kept making errors or infringing. Two needless off-sides showed the ground to be made up.
They went back indoors feeling a bit better after a nice handling move gave Katarina Kacirkova a chance on the left that she took well.
Half-time 31-5
Cass Tuffnail had her big moment when she made a huge break through midfield. A penalty ensued, though Brooke Bradley’s tap was a good distance from the referee’s mark.
Cris Blanco was on the end of an orthodox drive, and Isla Norman-Bell took a legal-looking tap and stepped her way over smartly.
Sharks’ second moment of relief came when Kristin Bitter benefited from a fine driving maul. She and Georgia Lingham were stand-outs for the visitors.
But TF had the last word. Annabel Meta, now transitioning to prop, zoomed over to give the final total an extra sheen.
Result: Trailfinders 57 Tigers 10
Player of the Match: Niamh Gallagher
Afterthoughts
The PWR might consider offering an extra trophy: for the club suffering the most injuries in the season. Bristol and Quins are in the lead, but even Trailfinders are showing well.
It was good seeing a number of returning faces at Vallis Way, especially Sevens players, though Emma Uren, GB’s captain, was a late withdrawal.
Exeter Chiefs v Saracens
This was the big one, third hosting second. It was the first of two low-scoring affairs, and all the better for that.
Chiefs started well. A Sarries scrum on their own 5-metre line put Zoe Harrison under pressure and Alex Tessier, prominent as ever, charged down to score.
May Campbell helped restore Sarries’ normal equilibrium on the end of a drive.
More fine work by Tessier almost saw Katie Buchanan over, but defences stood sound. Tessier did score a second, but Julia Omokhuale responded.
The only difference at half-time was the conversions: Harrison missed her two. 14-10
After that it was typical Sarries. They x-ray their opponents to see precisely where the weak spots are. They didn’t find it easy, but two more tries were enough to secure all five points.
Result: Exeter 14 Saracens 24
Quins v Sale Sharks
The evening game was another exciting low-scoring encounter. Gritty rugby can be enthralling.
Aoife Wafer’ debut for Quins had been the headline news – she appeared after the interval – but in the long term it’s the five points they gained that may prove more important.
Sharks scored first. They cunningly switched play back to the right; Lizzie Duffy slid a telling grubber through and Rhona Lloyd controlled the ball in the furthest corner.
Lucy Packer’s clever diagonal gave Quins their chance. They worked the ball right for Ellie Kildunne to squeeze over close to the third row of the stand.
Sharks paid for a number of missed chances when Quins, paying a brief visit back into enemy territory, built a lovely backs move. Beth Wilcock completed it with a pacey glide outside the last defender on the left.
A Duffy penalty brought the scores level at the interval, 10-10.
From there it was one-way scoring, just as at Sandy Park. Sharks didn’t let the hosts run away with the game, but two fine tries by Sarah Parry and Shona Campbell gave the Quarters their full reward.
Result: Quins 22 Sharks 10
Both sides will be looking to avoid the many errors they committed here under lights. One difficulty is, there is only one more round before a five-week break.
At least by then they may hope to have more of their absent friends restored to full working order.
The Sunday feature: Bristol Bears v Loughborough Lightning.
