Gloucester-Hartpury (hereafter G-H) achieved the impossible, a third trophy win running. Sarries didn’t make it easy for them, putting up fierce resistance on their home patch.

But the writing was on the wall from the moment Emma Sing collected Ella Wyrwas’ high box-kick and returned it with profit. Lleucu George sent a long pass to Mia Venner, but too close to touch.

G-H made the first big move; a reverse pass to Venner opened a huge midfield gap, and Kate Williams was there to take a second switch pass. A well executed move. Sing’s kick hit wood and fell out. 5-0

Then – blow me down! – an almost identical move by Sarries. Jess Breach took an inside pass from Poppy Cleall and no-one could catch her. This was right through midfield, not on a remote edge. 5-7

It needed Zoe Harrison to claim a brilliant fair catch from a George cross-kick to relieve strong pressure.

An error by each side showed the tension: May Campbell entered a maul illegally, then Neve Jones threw over the top of a line-out into enemy hands. Another error on the quarter-hour: a hopeful George pass proved far more costly. A driving maul was so powerful that Joe James ran under the posts. 5-14

It was Mo Hunt who was alleged to have pulled down the maul; she’s that strong. Yellow.

G-H were as close to being rattled as we’ve seen them for a while. Sarries kept the ball moving, forcing them to defend madly. In the end it was Lotte Sharp who drew the embraces. 5-19

Still one short, G-H got the cogs turning again. Precise interchanges (including a brilliantly contrived over the top pass from George) led to a stroll-in for Sing on the wide left. That was a real confidence booster for them; the game had been slipping away since the first score; a second try proved their great ability. 10-19

Now we saw the echt Cherry-and-Whites. Multiple passes of every sort led to a strong position in front of the posts. Ultra quick hands gave Venner the ball; she had to double back inside, but got over the line. Don’t be surprised to see her wearing white in the next month or so. 15-19

As the gong sounded for tea and cakes, G-H won a ruck turnover. They were inside Sarries’ 22. Matthews drove from the scrum, they attacked the line like fury, but a last hopeful pass down the line ballooned into touch.

Half-time: 15-19

That knife-edge was painful.

Breach might have regretted brilliantly keeping a Sing kick in play. The result was possession regained by the champions, and, after several thrusts, a try to Matthews to restore the lead.

Ah, but this is a game with a TMO, so played under quite different conditions from most of its mates. Breach’s leap to regain the ball was in vain. It had crossed the plane of touch. So, no try, but a line-out to G-H – the kick was a 50:22! All quite straightforward really. Back to 15-19.

How many minutes had it taken the fourth official to reach that decision, how many phases? We needed a further break as Johnson called the captains together to explain the delayed course of action. Whoever wants a faster, simpler game?

Maud Muir speeded the game up. Beth Lewis won the line-out easily, Aldcroft delivered a deadly offload and the prop slipped through a gap to roar in under the posts. 22-19

George spotted the Sarries’ defensive line advancing hungrily, so popped a dink over the top. Sing couldn’t quite gather at the line. They had a penalty coming anyway, and it was Neve Jones on the end of a steamroller trample. 27-19

On 51 minutes the game took a violent turn. The TMO spotted a shoulder-on-head tackle by Matthews on Cleall, two highly experienced England No 8s. It was interesting to hear that Packer drew the referee’s attention to it. When Packer’s head clattered into Muir’s the TMO was unmoved.

After her ten minutes in the bin Matthews was allowed to re-enter. John Mitchell, looking like a nun in the stands, may have sighed with relief.

G-H were dominating territory now, and they heaved the Sarries pack back inside their own 22. And the home backs weren’t helping; the new centre partnership of Bridger and Gregson failed to connect with a simple pass. A second crumpling scrum brought Sarries’ eleventh penalty against.

More brilliant improvisation gained G-H a sixth try. At the back of a ruck just short of the line Hunt looked right, then left, then dummied her way over, much as she did against the Black Ferns.

Sing found her kicking boots again. 34-19

On 70 minutes Sarries built into the G-H half for the first time in ages, but then a knock-on brought a halt. By now the familiar male voice in the stand shouting “Sar-eees” was sounding very lonely. Where was the supporting chorus?

As time began to run out for the hosts, they threw the ball around all over the place, but the tackling remained implacable, wingers hitting as hard at the front five.

With 90 seconds left Sarries painfully reached 15 metres from the line, only to concede a penalty, thanks to Georgia Brock. On the supper gong the champions won yet another penalty, and Megan Davies beefed the ball into touch. Sarries had accumulated nul points in the second 40.

Result: Gloucester-Hartpury 34 Saracens 19
Player of the Match: Maud Muir
Attendance c. 8.000 (tbc)

The Teams:

Gloucester-Hartpury
1 Perry 2 N. Jones 3 Muir 4 Beckett 5 Aldcroft 6 K. Williams 7 Lewis 8 Matthews 9 N. Hunt 10 George 11 Hendy 12 Heard 13 H. Jones 14 Venner 15 Sing
16 Boag 17 Carson 18 Bugby 19 Else 20 Brock 21 M. Davies 22 Green 23 Lund

Saracens
1.⁠ ⁠Akina Gondwe 2.⁠ ⁠⁠May Campbell 3.⁠ ⁠⁠Kelsey Clifford 4.⁠ ⁠⁠Rosie Galligan 5.⁠ ⁠⁠Georgia Evans 6.⁠ ⁠⁠Gabrielle Senft 7.⁠ ⁠⁠Marlie Packer (Co-captain) 8.⁠ ⁠⁠Poppy Cleall 9.⁠ ⁠⁠Ella Wyrwas 10.⁠ ⁠⁠Zoe Harrison 11.⁠ ⁠⁠Lotte Sharp (Co-captain) 12.⁠ ⁠⁠Sophie Bridger 13.⁠ ⁠⁠Emma Hardy 14.⁠ ⁠⁠Alysha Corrigan 15.⁠ ⁠⁠Jess Breach
16.⁠ ⁠⁠Bryony Field 17.⁠ McKinley Hunt 18.⁠ ⁠⁠Carmen Tremelling 19.⁠ ⁠⁠Bryony Cleall 20.⁠ ⁠⁠Louise McMillan 21.⁠ Tori Sellors 22.⁠ ⁠⁠Sarah McKenna 23.⁠ ⁠⁠Sydney Gregson

The Officials:

Referee: Joe James
ARs: Alex Thomas and Calum Howard
TMO: Dan Jones

Afterthoughts

Two very fine sides, but Gloucester-Hartpury proved their superior quality. The two previous encounters had seen G-H win 47-31, then Sarries gained revenge in the return 49-38, so a 0-0 draw had never looked likely.

With the ending of the 2024-25 campaign we can peer through the mist to next season. There are lots of doubts, but the odd certainty: Sean Lynn won’t be in charge at Hartpury. Who will take over? Will G-H retain their playing strength and their success rate? Both Connie Powell (Quins) and Sophie Bridger were prepared to leave Gloucestershire for other clubs this season; will others be willing to tread the same path?

Why do referees allow penalty-takers to kick the ball from metres beyond the original mark? It’s a curious blind-spot and a wilful disregard of the laws.

Rosie Galligan points to the Saracens ‘family’ as the key to success. Gloucester-Hartpury will see the game as a final fling before Sean Lynn’s departure.

Which will prove the stronger motivator? Both sides know that keeping emotions under control will be vital.

The Teams:

Gloucester-Hartpury
1 Perry 2 N. Jones 3 Muir 4 Beckett 5 Aldcroft 6 K. Williams 7 Lewis 8 Matthews 9 N. Hunt 10 George 11 Hendy 12 Heard 13 H. Jones 14 Venner 15 Sing
16 Boag 17 Carson 18 Bugby 19 Else 20 Brock 21 M. Davies 22 Green 23 Lund

Saracens

1.⁠ ⁠Akina Gondwe 2.⁠ ⁠⁠May Campbell 3.⁠ ⁠⁠Kelsey Clifford 4.⁠ ⁠⁠Rosie Galligan 5.⁠ ⁠⁠Georgia Evans 6.⁠ ⁠⁠Gabrielle Senft 7.⁠ ⁠⁠Marlie Packer (Co-captain) 8.⁠ ⁠⁠Poppy Cleall 9.⁠ ⁠⁠Ella Wyrwas 10.⁠ ⁠⁠Zoe Harrison 11.⁠ ⁠⁠Lotte Sharp (Co-captain) 12.⁠ ⁠⁠Sophie Bridger 13.⁠ ⁠⁠Emma Hardy 14.⁠ ⁠⁠Alysha Corrigan 15.⁠ ⁠⁠Jess Breach
16.⁠ ⁠⁠Bryony Field 17.⁠ McKinley Hunt 18.⁠ ⁠⁠Carmen Tremelling 19.⁠ ⁠⁠Bryony Cleall 20.⁠ ⁠⁠Louise McMillan 21.⁠ Tori Sellors 22.⁠ ⁠⁠Sarah McKenna 23.⁠ ⁠⁠Sydney Gregson

That’s two starry line-ups. Glos-Pury win the subsidiary battle of “who’s got more Red Roses on the bench?” by 3-1. They have 14/15 test starters. Sarries have to make do with only 18 test players out of 23.

Of note: El Perry retains the Glos-Pury No 1 shirt over Mackenzie Carson.

What factors will help decide the big game?

Here are a few:

Luck
Home advantage
Card(s)
Bending the referee’s ear
Keeping cool
Coach’s strategy
Adjusting to problems set by the opposition Avoiding unforced errors
Accuracy of handling and kicking
Stopping thedriving maul
Moments of magic

A Bit of History

Only three clubs have won the trophy since 2017. Two of them compete in this year’s final; the third is Harlequins. Since very club is required to be “financially viable”, we can expect little change in the upper layers of this league till another benevolent billionaire pops up.

The Venue

It’s distinctly unfortunate that one of the teams will be playing at home, though it won’t be the first time. At least G-H will be granted use of the home changing-rooms. Sarries have been preparing for this demotion by squatting in the visitors’ accommodation.

The authorities have rarely resolved this problem in eight years. While we wait for the perfect answer – a full house at the Allianz Stadium Twickenham – the next best would be the largest rugby stadium available that is unlikely to be the home ground of a prospective finalist.

So the best choice till now has been Franklin’s Gardens Northampton.

The Officials:

Referee: Joe James
ARs: Alex Thomas and Calum Howard
TMO: Dan Jones

Once more the absence of women in charge is striking. Sara Cox is overseeing the men’s Premiership Cup final; Holly Wood is whistling the Portugal-Brazil international.

The early Build-up

It was amusing to read how the first news of ticket availabilty was trumpeted:

“The likes of England captain Marlie Packer, Canadian captain Sophie de Goede and Red Roses stars Ellie Kildunne and Emily Scarratt will all be hoping to play their part in the showpiece final in March, alongside international stars such as Kate Zackary and Babalwa Latsha.”

That’s how ‘early-bird’ publicity prove wishful thinking. What lay behind the publicist’s thinking in picking the names of Zackary and Latsha out of the hat? The first four are easier to explain; Zoe Aldcroft was not yet the England captain.

Fixture details

Date: Sunday 16 March
Venue: StoneX Stadium Hendon
Kick-off: 15.00

With neither of these two giants sitting top of the table, one of them had the chance to put Exeter Chiefs in their place.

It was a humdinger.

G-H were right on top from kick-off; Mo Hunt tapped and ran, Mackenzie Carson took the ball on and Maud Muir cut a clever line to complete the job. Emma Sing gained a second try by quite different means: she hacked a loose ball down the touchline; Zoe Harrison tried to reclaim it, but Sing hacked again to score. (0-12)

By then Poppy Cleall had received the first yellow of the day, but Sarries aren’t multiple champions by accident. They pulled themselves together so well that Bryony Field, Gabby Senft (on debut) and McKinley Hunt all scored to redress the balance. In the process it was Neve Jones’ turn to spend ten minutes enjoying the sunshine.

But G-H aren’t double champions by accident either. They responded first with a try by Rachel Lund, fed by Sing’s well-timed pass. Then Zoe Aldcroft capitalised on good work by Kate Williams to finish under the posts. A forwards’ move splintered the Sarries’ defence, and Nel Metcalfe claimed a cross-kick to see G-H into a commanding lead.

Half-time: 21-33

On 47 minutes Marlie Packer was allowed to join the fray. According to Sarries’ fans this wasn’t desperation. They were right, but the game remained on edge till the very end.

It was time for May Campbell’s usual contribution. That was a home bonus-point secured and the margin reduced to 28-35. As in the Exeter game the day before, single incidents were to have a decisive effect on the outcome. On 62 minutes Jones was held up over the line. But first Lund started and finished a wonderful move, now all alone on the edge.

Time for Sarries to show their mettle. Tries by young full-back Jemma-Jo Linkins, Campbell and, in the 80th minute, Senft thrust their side 11 points ahead. G-H were on the attack at the close, but the damage had been done.

Once more Sarries proved their incredible staying power. We await the reverse game (14 Dec) with some impatience.

8 tries, 7 conversions and 2 yellows were squeezed into 80 minutes. Then we may wonder what the defence coaches made of it all.

Result: 49-38

Teams:

Saracens

1 Hunt 2 Field 3 Rose 4 George 5 Galligan 6 Senft 7 Campbell (co-c) 8 P. Cleall 9 Infante 10 Harrison 11 Corrigan 12 McKenna (co-c) 13 Hardy 14 Gregson 15 Linkins
16 Gondwe 17 B. Cleall 18 Clifford 19 McMillan 20 Packer 21 Wyrwas 22 Blacklock 23 Sharp

Gloucester-Hartpury

1 Carson 2 N. Jones 3 Muir 4 Williams 5 Aldcroft (co-c) 6 Lewis 7 Brock 8 Matthews 9 Hunt (co-c) 10 Hyett 11 Lund 12 Heard 13 Hendy 14 Metcalfe 15 Sing
16 Simpson 17 Samuda 18 Tuipulotu 19 Stafford 20 Else 21 Castellucci 22 S. Jones 23 Green

Afterthoughts

This was Leanne Infante’s swansong. She has explained that she is retiring partly in reaction to being excluded from the England squad after the last RWC. It is an unfortunate but all too common feature of the English game that respected players are omitted without public explanation. If they wish it that way, that’s fine, but it can appear as though the selectors are unwilling to offer their reasoning.

It was a relief seeing Poppy Cleall’s name restored to the Red Roses’ squad after another extended absence. Then there was Mo Hunt who disappeared from view too; Infante had no such recall. I still consider her to have been the best 9 England have employed over the past seven years. She has an alternative career already mapped out.

We have to be very grateful for clubs providing moving pictures and commentary. The one drawback I’ve mentioned before is the one-dimensional nature of the commentary. With a lead-commentator from the club and an analyst (normally an injured home-team member) it’s hard to see how balance could be obtained.

To show the abrupt change of scenery the end of WXV brought to squads, here are three indicators: Lightning made 7 changes, Quins 11 and Trailfinders 9.

Officials:

Not a single female among the referees, ARs and TMO this weekend.

A Census (staring XVs only)

Sarries: 2 Red Roses appeared in the recent WXV; 5 more RR caps; 4 NEQP test players
G-H: 7 Red Roses appeared in the recent WXV; 2 more RR caps; 4 NEQP test players

Regular Season v Knock-outs

My concern: could a final be more meaningful than this match? Two top teams bursting with talent. Their final positions in the table are of no account, except for the need to finish in the top 4. The current system reduces the league to a mere subsidiary to the self-important knock-outs.

The one doubt is, who will reach them? It’s almost a foregone conclusion – if neither Lightning nor Quins can put together a strong run of results, it will be the same old four again. And, for me far worse, the same two clubs stuck at the bottom.

There we see the dilemma facing the PWR committee: there was no club ready to step into Worcester Warriors’ boots last season and there still isn’t.

Table                          ​       P​      ​ W      Pts

Saracens                          4        4      20
Exeter Chiefs                  4        4      18
Glos-Pury         ​​               4        2      12
Bristol Bears                   3         2      11
Quins                                4         2       11
Lightning                         4          1        7
Trailfinders                     3         1        6
Tigers                               3          0        1
Sharks                              3           0       0

A quite astonishing reversal of fortune: Saracens are downed at home, so fail to make yet another final.

Here we had the two clubs with the tightest defences in the league, Bears better even than Sarries. The last time the two sides met at the StoneX Sarries won 32-10. But in the reverse match Bears won 35-10. Now we know that should have been our clear warning.

For once, Sarries could not assert their authority in the second half. A 9-point lead at the break dissolved into an 8-point deficit where it counts. So Bears can take great credit for gaining the first ever away win in a semi.

Any crowd nerves were stilled when Coreen Grant put the home side ahead inside the opening quarter. The Scottish winger just managed to ground the ball as a huge tackle came in from Deborah Wills. Grant was the player keeping long-term captain, Lotte Clapp, on the bench. McKinley Hunt’s short-range drive got the Sarries’ flags waving even more wildly.

When a leading try-scorer has to leave the field injured, it no longer means an end to hopes of winning. Willis was replaced by Courtney Keight, and she was to have a role to play.

But first, when in need, call up Lark Atkin-Davies. She scored her 9 millionth try buried under a pile of bodies.

Half-time: 14-5

That late score relit the spark in Bears’ bellies.

One aspect of the game Sarries have been able to rely on in times of need is the strength of the pack. But not now. Bears set up a maul which started a good ten metres out and didn’t stop till it was over the line. Sarries were mortal. Needless to say LA-D had started in with a pin-point throw and finished it somewhere below ground-level.

Now the backs took their turn, and it was Keight who had the pleasure of completing a devastating move. For the first time they were in the lead. (14-17).

This was to be a game of small margins. The next incident saw Reneeqa Bonner yellowed for a so-called ‘deliberate’ knock-on. I continue to place ‘deliberate’ in apostrophes since what happens on the field doesn’t tally with any sense of ‘deliberate’ that I’ve yet met. The outcome was the inevitable penalty try, and Sarries retook the lead.

It’s to Bears’ credit that they didn’t concede a point while they were down to 14.

Who will they pick to bring them in front again? That was a good idea: they chose LA-D, who posted her hat-trick. (21-24)

This was to become another game disfigured by a shower of cards. If you like farewell cards, you’ll be well pleased. They are so contagious that we’re in danger of seeing as many people sitting on the naughty step as on the bench – and World Rugby still hasn’t announced a decision on reducing that number from eight.

First it was Leanne Infante, only six minutes after replacing Ella Wyrwas, then the Canadian Emma Taylor who were given their marching orders. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve had to type 15 v 13, but it’s a few thousand too many. Already three points down, Sarries now faced a vertical cliff-face to mount. In the circumstances they did pretty well, but they couldn’t keep Bonner out as she skipped her way to the decisive score.

The near impossible had happened.

Result: 21-29

Teams:

Saracens
15 Breach 14 Grant 13 Gregson 12 McKenna 11 Farries 10 Harrison 9 Wyrwas 1 Hunt 2 Campbell 3 Clifford 4 Evans 5 Taylor 6 De Goede 7 M. Packer (co-captain) 8 P. Cleall
16 Field 17 Gondwe 18 Rose 19 McMillan 20 Kasolo 21 Infante 22 Bridger 23 Clapp (co-captain)

Bristol Bears
15 Lovibond 14 Bonner 13 Murray 12 Aitchison 11 Wills 10 Reed (co-captain) 9 Bevan 1 Pam 2 Atkin-Davies 3 Botterman 4 Burns 5 Ward (co-captain) 6 Joyce-Butchers 7 Gallagher 8 R. Marston-Mulhearn
16 Sprague 17 Phillips 18 E. Marston-Mulhearn 19 Cunningham 20 Nigrelli 21 Burgess 22 M. Smith 23 Keight

One afterthought

Do Sarries now regret seeing Hannah Botterman and Holly Aitchison leaving for Bristol? Put it another way: who would Alex Austerberry have played at No 10 all season if Aitchison had been available? It’s a wry thought that she played 12 for Bears, Amber Reed given the pivotal job at 10.

The fixtures, both on Sunday 9 June, line up like this:

Saracens v Bristol Bears, StoneX Stadium, KO 14.00 BST
Gloucester-Hartpury v Exeter Chiefs, Kingsholm, KO 16.30 BST

The four squads have been announced:

Saracens

15 Breach 14 Grant 13 Gregson 12 McKenna 11 Farries 10 Harrison 9 Wyrwas 1 Hunt 2 Campbell 3 Clifford 4 Evans 5 Taylor 6 De Goede 7 M. Packer (co-captain) 8 P. Cleall

16 Field 17 Gondwe 18 Rose 19 McMillan 20 Kasolo 21 Infante 22 Bridger 23 Clapp (co-captain)

Bristol Bears

15 Lovibond 14 Bonner 13 Murray 12 Aitchison 11 Wills 10 Reed (co-captain) 9 Bevan 1 Pam 2 Atkin-Davies 3 Botterman 4 Burns 5 Ward (co-captain) 6 Joyce-Butchers 7 Gallagher 8 R. Marston-Mulhearn

16 Sprague 17 Phillips 18 E. Marston-Mulhearn 19 Cunningham 20 Nigrelli 21 Burgess 22 M. Smith 23 Keight

Gloucester-Hartpury

15 Sing 14 Venner 13 H. Jones 12 Heard 11 Hendy 10 George 9 Hunt (co-captain) 1 Carson 2 N. Jones 3 Muir 4 Beckett 5 Monaghan 6 Brock 7 Lewis 8 Aldcroft (co-captain)

16 Dale 17 Perry 18 Tuipulotu 19 K. Willims 20 Castellucci 21 Blackburn 22 Hyett 23 Lund

Exeter Chiefs

15 Tessier 14 Buchanan 13 Doidge 12 Cantorna 11 Clarke 10 Wilkins 9 Bradley 1 Rogers 2 Tuttosi 3 Menin 4 Van Der Velden 5 Leitch (captain) 6 Jefferies 7 Allen 8 Johnson

16 Moloney 17 Sams 18 Hanlon 19 Orchard 20 Feaunati 21 Millar-Mills 22 Bricknell 23 Brennan

The smart money is on Sarries and G-H. But that’s not so very smart since home sides have a habit of winning semis, and the contrast in losses across the season is stark: G-H and Sarries a combined 3; Bears and Chiefs 10. So whether they’ve been on top form or not, the first two know how to win.

Saracens

Sarries’ record this year has been similar to 2023, in other words, unlike any of their previous seasons of the new league, not quite at the top. Most of their stats place them way ahead of all their rivals, yet somehow they contrived to lose two games, roughly two more than usual. It benefits them that they meet Bears at home; the support they get there means a lot to them.

Among the usual array of stars – Alex Austerberry has to be satisfied with only eleven past and present Red Roses – two of their veterans are celebrating big occasions: Sarah McKenna makes her 100th club appearance, Poppy Cleall her 150th.

Bristol Bears

Bears are in a very similar position to Chiefs. They too are attempting to reach a final after two consecutive semi-finalis. Despite their astonishing win over Sarries 35-10 back in March, it’s hard to see them jumping this last hurdle.

Dave Ward has shifted Hannah Botterman to tight-head to allow Simi Pam to operate on the left. It will be interesting to see how she fares in this less familiar position against McKinley Hunt. Ward also opts for Amber Reed at 10 and Holly Aitchison at inside-centre, though no doubt there’ll be plenty of flexibility in their playing patterns.

Gloucester-Hartpury

G-H had a nasty shock when they went down by two points to Sarries last week, but that may have been the push they needed approaching the knock-out phase. They are missing Alex Matthews, so Zoe Aldcroft plays 8, allowing Sarah Beckett to partner Sam Monaghan at lock.

At their best they play well enough to beat most international sides you care to mention, a classic case of the whole adding up to more than the constituent parts.

Exeter Chiefs

Chiefs’ finishing position, fourth, has been a disappointment to them; the club’s driving ambition has been to take the trophy sooner rather than later. But this season has not seen the continued improvement expected. They’ve been semi-finalists three times running, but their chances of inproving on past results have been dampened by injury. Kanako Kobayashi’s absence sees Merryn Doidge switch to centre and Alex Tessier plays at the back, with Robyn Wilkins at 10. Rachel Johnson rejoins the squad from her successes with the Eagles.

The World of Officialdom

I must admit my disappointment at seeing only two womern appointed to the two semis, Nikki O’Donnell and Holly Wood. Though they have considerable experience up to international level, both will act as ARs, not referees.

The game started promisingly for Sharks; Claire Gallagher made a fine break, but with support on each shoulder she failed to offer a pass – why, oh why?

Tigers were to create plenty more chances, but only a few reached the line.

Now Zoe Harrison produced the first of several perfect touch-finders. The officials needed a reminder about the 50:22 law. Sarries didn’t hold back.

Tigers, powerful up front and inventive behind, created more chances, but couldn’t profit. They muffed a promising line-out position.

An accurate grubber by Harrison forced Meg Jones to carry over her own line. From an attacking scrum Poppy Cleall picked up, but didn’t attempt a solo run; instead the ball found its way via Leanne Infante into Harrison’s hands; she jinked and was over.

In the opening minutes of this game she had already made John Mitchell’s choice of No 10 infinitely harder. And with Scaz back in armour, who else still makes the Red Roses’ side? 7-0

Now at last Tigers built a promising move. A grubber by Tahlia Brody went straight into Sarries’ hands, but they infringed on contact. Tigers profited; try to Roisin McBrien. 7-7

Sarries now infringed twice, a high then a dangerous tackle, and Tigers went through their repertoire of back moves. Sadly for them, as they approached the line a stray pass under pressure fell into Paige Farrties’ hands. Another chance gone.

We now had a dramatic passage of play. Harrison put in two lengthy clearances, but when a Tiger’s kick was touched by an opponent, Amy Cokayne found herself way in front with the ball in space. She reverted to her No 10 role and pinged the ball into Sarries’ left corner. But now it was Tigers’ turn to offend with a poor tackle.

At the quarter mark Tigers were still level, and Sarries were conceding penalties like an ever-generous Santa Claus. Tigers were causing them real problems, Meg Jones very prominent, but not the sole cause of concern to the home crowd.

Then suddenly Infante – who, you will recall, is the best scrum-half in the country – made an unlikely break down the blind-side, but, to prove my judgement all wrong, punted the ball directly into touch.
An interesting variation: Tigers withdrew both their props inside 30 minutes. International requests may have had a part to play, and, of course, props are always allowed back purely for safety reasons.

But it lent a difference to the game.

It took Sarries an age to re-enter enemy territory, but only Lotte Clapp’s failed grasp at a rolling ball prevented a score. Tigers wilfully delayed a line-out and paid the penalty (details below). After several thrusts May Campbell scored the try her side needed before they came to face with an unimpressed head coach.

Things worsened when Poppy Cleall suffered a head-on-head from Tahlia Brody. To every onlooker’s astonishment it was she who was shown a yellow card. She had allegedly spoken her mind to the referee. Is that the first time in human history that sequence has occurred? There was no TMO present to reassess what happened; a clear instance of how it is needed at every game.

Half-time 14-7

More astonishment straight after. Tigers worked themselves close to the line. At the scrum Brody picked and drove straight over the line through a gap where Cleall might have been waiting. And to think, it was Brody who might have suffered a red card for her high tackle only three minutes of playing time earlier! 14-12

Tigers undid the good work with unforced errors. Sarries profited at once, Infante spotting an invisible gap in a forest of bodies to squeeze through and over. 21-12

On the hour mark Tigers had a line-out on the hosts’ 5-metre line. Everything went to plan – try to Leah Bartlett. Even better, Jones converted from the left edge. 21-19. Cokayne departed the scene on 52 minutes. Sarries were relieved to see her go.

The game now turned into a 7-a-side affair, but with about fifty people on the field; real harum- scarum stuff.

A poweful Sarries scrum saw the ball move via Cleall and Infante to Clapp who had only to fall over the line. 26-19 That was the bonus point assured.

Memo to all Sarries’ opponents: they play an 80-minute game, and today it was to last 83 minutes. Now it was Bryony Field driving over. 33-19

A chip from Harrison caused heaps of problems. Jess Breach, only recently allowed into the fray, was twice involved, and clattered her way over the line to touch down with a spin.

A pause now to allow you to write down England’s starting back-line of seven players against Italy.

Yes, only seven.

Paige Farries, playing full-back today, extended the demolition, as Sarries showed their best form against a tiring defence. 47-19

As the game went past the 80 mark, Cleall had time to drive over close to a post. Yet another late score to prove Sarries’ stirling qualities.

But Tigers’ fans must be heartened by the great form their team showed on a big occasion; they are improving with every outing. Just a pity that, as with the other sides near the basement, they couldn’t squeeze that valuable bonus point out of an entertaining game.

Result: 54-19

Referee: Nikki O’Donnell

Lightning v Sharks

This game played out far more predictably. A pity, you might say. Lightning were 21-7 up at the interval, so still had an important target or two to face on the restart. Daisy Hibbert-Jones, their young No 8, already capped by England, revealed an interesting variation on Poppy Cleall’s earlier show by waiting patiently on the wide outside, then beating the last defender as if she was auditioning for the No 14 shirt. But you made your choice higher up my report.

Sadia Kabeya ensured the bonus point within four minutes of the restart. That helped them leap-frog above Quins who had to sit this weekend out.

The visitors’ one redeeming feature was their three tries. Like their fellow sufferers at the wrong end of the table, they are quite capable of producing the goods at the positive end of the pitch. The problem is to keep the defensive dykes from flooding.

Result: 38-15

Afterthoughts

Speeding up the game: on 35 minutes Tigers had a line-out. Nikki O’Donnell complained they hadn’t inserted the number of players they’d announced, four. They had another discussion. Then she told them to advance to their correct position. They took their time, one player not budging an inch. The almost inevitable result, an overthrow, and a try to May Campbell.

Surely, the simplest response is for the ref to give the opposition an immediate free-kick, or, even better, a penalty. The amount of time wasted at line-outs now is indefensible.

It would be fascinating to know what policies Women’s Premier 15 Ltd (WR15 Ltd) is assessing in redressing the balance between north and south. Tigers’ performance against Sarries suggests that there is really only one club left suffering in the league, and they are the solitary one lying north of the Trent. The two newcomers between them have already secured five victories.

Basics: When does PWR propose asking for applications for another new-look league? After the traditional three years or later? These are desperately serious matters. The league is disfigured by the presence of only nine clubs. When does the board consider it appropriate to invite a tenth in? Are Sharks safe? DMP Sharks weren’t when in a similar position last year.

Coverage

The StoneX intro was admirably broad, including a detailed look at Tigers. But once the game got going, we had only a Sarries’ viewpoint from Harry Scott-Munro and especially Flo Williams. This is where we ideally need two voices, one from each side, to fill us in in depth on all 46 players. Example: Sharifa Kasolo commits a high tackle. Comment: ‘Tigers lucky to get out of a tricky position.’ Would a neutral commentator have phrased the situation like that? The two Sarries co- commentators (Flo Williams and Ella Wyrwas) go on to praise Kasolo’s tackling to the skies.

When the PWR next offers full coverage, it would be a kindness if every game was available without payment needed.

Table                          P​       W​      D      L​      Pts

Glos-Pury         ​​       12      12    0       0       59
Saracens                  11      10      0 ​     1       50
Exeter​​​                      12       7       1      4        42
Bears       ​​                 12      8       0      4        41
Lightning                11      5      0       6         27
Harlequins  ​​           11      3       1       7         22
​Trailfinders      ​​​      11      3       0       8        18
Tigers​​​                      11       2       0       9         8
Sale         ​​                 11       1       0      10        3

Everything that follows comes under the vital heading ALLEGEDLY.

Emily Robinson, Quins’ vice-captain and owner of one Red Rose cap, is said to have head-butted Saracens’ Sydney Gregson. The referee, Mike Hudson, at once showed Robinson a red card although the game had finished.

It is thought this action was in response to a push Gregson made on Ella Cromack, Quins’ young England Under 18s fly-half.

The disciplinary committee will have a lot on its plate to decide exactly what happened. TV cameras were present, though in the clips currently available the scenes are somewhat distant.

In no particular order the committee will have to look at the weather conditions (the one other PWR game at Sale was called off owing to a frozen pitch); the three yellow cards that Quins had already been shown; the state of the game (a proud home club subjected to a humbling defeat); the precise sequence of events that led to the alleged violence; a correct and proportionate response to the known facts; they may involve a player or players of both sides; and Harlequins’ disciplinary record.

Some Background

Nobody can pretend that the new league has got off to a satisfactory start, despite all the bright hopes it engendered.

First and foremost, one of the ten clubs, University of Worcester Warriors, didn’t even reach the starting gate. That left an ulcerous hole in the programme and concern in the minds of players and support staff around the country.

The serious injury that befell Carys Phillips in the sixth minute of the game served only to increase the sense of concern. The former Wales captain had become the latest Warriors’ signing to a new club. Her injury caused a lengthy break in play, while players left the field to seek warmth.

As fate would have it, the same weekend the RFU published a profit of £4 million it had made in a season that saw the folding of Wasps, Worcester and London Irish men’s clubs, plus women’s clubs too. These profits are heavily dependent on the number of times Twickenham Stadium can be filled for international matches.

The public still doesn’t know the circumstances in which Amy Turner replaced Gerard Mullen as Quins’ head coach. She must have been the only member of the group selected by World Rugby to act as interns to their national sides for last year’s World Cup to leave the scene prematurely to take up her new appointment at Twickenham Stoop.

But Quins’ disciplinary record must come into question.

This famed London derby turned into a drubbing for Quins. In freezing conditions – most of the backs sporting black leggings – they had no answer to Sarries’ power, skill and efficiency. They hindered their own efforts with repeated infringements, quite apart from avoidable errors.

Yet Quins were impressive to start with, Flo Robinson getting the ball away smartly. But a nasty looking injury to Carys Phillips, only recently signed on at the Stoop, brought a lengthy interruption. Players left the field.

Quins proved incapable of completing promising moves. Now Sophie De Goede, not admitted to the World Team of the Year for reasons known only to the adjudicating panel, snaffled a line-out ball to deny them. This was a feature to be repeated right through the game.

The next moment May Campbell, who just gets better and better, won her fifth turnover of the season as Quins pressed. She seemed to be struck on the head, but the referee wasn’t convinced. After some treatment she continued, as pugnacious as ever.

Quins had had the better of the argument for 20 minutes, but the score was 0-0. Any opponents of Sarries will know that is not good news. Inevitably, they built an attack; Quins conceded a series of penalties; Sarries drove a maul, one more penalty, a catch and drive and Campbell was over. De Goede’s kick from the edge hit the crossbar and went over. 0-7

The first of Quins’ yellows came on 26 minutes, as Kaitlan Leaney was found guilty of collapsing a maul. The next moment Sarries seemed to be over from a front peel, but no, there had been a knock-on.

Now it was De Goede again, running clear. But no again, the short pass from Amelia MacDougall was forward. The 18-year-old typified the contrast between the two teams, totally at home, almost completely error-free.

By contrast, Bella Mckenzie now joined her fellow Wallaroo in the sin-bin, guilty of the second of two deliberate knock-ons close to the home line.

For the 9,000th time this season, 15 v 13.

As the break approached, Sarries upped the pace. The sequence was familiar: penalty, kick to the corner, catch-and-drive, try to the England captain. 0-12

They had time for another wonderful move, De Goede involved twice, but no more scores.

Half-Time 0-12

Quins were looking like a shadow of their former selves.

This was the final score in the west country derby the day before. Could Sarries extend that lead?  Yes! Quins went on upsetting the referee.

The one classy player in quarters was once more Ellie Kildunne, but even she couldn’t transform her agile movements into a score. After one hot-stepping run she was caught upright and conceded a scrum.

But if the rest of the side had been up to her standards, the result might have been very different. Quins have a number of injuries, but the effect is a patchwork of a team, some distance from likely knock-out participants. They kept on making minor and major errors.

It was all Sarries now; they kept punching at the line, helped enormously by the return of Poppy Cleall to full fitness. Then, as the ball came back, the teenager MacDougall hoisted a delicate cross-kick for Paige Farries to grasp on the right. Another unlikely conversion by De Goede. 0-19

Now came a move typical of Quins today. They were on the attack: McKenzie sent a fine long pass right to Kildunne; on to Emily Scott, but she doesn’t have the pace for a true winger any more. She passed back inside, Kildunne wriggled close to the line but isolated, and penalty to Sarries.

Now time for a third Quins‘ yellow card; Shaunagh Brown was found guilty of moving off-side at a retreating maul, then pulling it down.

Almost inevitably Sarries responded with a penalty try. 0-26

Now the Farries try was repeated, minus the cross-kick; the effect of 15 v 14. 0-31. That was the result of a final all-consuming forward drive.

In the encircling gloom there was little left for the loyal Quins’ supporters to cling to. Like Bristol the day before, they had been nilled at home.

Result: 0-31

Officials:
Referee: Mike Hudson
ARs: Lionel Spooner and Gareth Holsgrove
with thanks to rugbyreferee.net

Afterthoughts

This will be Rachael Burford’s last season.

Jade Konkel is due for an operation. This meant drafting Shaunagh Brown in at No 8.

Quins are missing a number of players (Lucy Packer, Bryony Cleall, Katy Mew, Freya Aucken, etc), but I’m not convinced by the overall quality of the squad; there are too many passengers. Even Lagi Tuima, Burford (now 37) and Scott (having to play on the wing) looked out of sorts.

Rosie Galligan may get drummed out of the Forwards Union. She plays far too like a back. Another ex-Quins player they couldn’t afford to lose.

Off the back of a successful cup run, the Canadian insists that her side want to live up to their own expectations as attentions now turn to the league.

“We really want to start well. From a forwards perspective, we want to be direct and come out with a bang. There’s so much potential in this group and we want to show that we’re not just a strong team on paper.”

Those cup matches proved to be a huge positive for Saracens, as they tested themselves against a variety of oppositions, eventually securing top spot in the group. Taylor believes that whilst they learnt a lot from their previous encounter with tomorrow’s opponents, it has been the physical battles that have set them up well for the start of the league.

“The cup was huge. The Gloucester-Hartpury match was exactly what we needed coming into the league. They’re a solid, well-drilled and physical side. The previous match against Loughborough was more of a running game with the quick attacking threat that they posed, so that was a good one for us to learn from . You look at that Gloucester match, that was a proper physical battle up front, which has set us up really well to do what we want to do going into Saturday.”

Ahead of this one, Director of Rugby Alex Austerberry has welcomed back a number of internationals from international duty.

Up front, McKinley Hunt makes her debut for the club, with England internationals May Campbell and Kelsey Clifford joining her in the front-row.

In the second-row, Taylor packs down alongside Welsh international Georgia Evans, whilst Canadian captain Sophie de Goede starts in the back-row alongside Sharifa Kasolo and Poppy Cleall.

The half-backs have a nice blend of youth and experience, with Leanne Infante and Amelia MacDougall steering the ship, whilst the centres see Sophie Bridger and Sydney Gregson link up, with Bridger making her debut for the club.

It’s an all international back-three too, with co-captain Lotte Clapp joined by Coreen Grant and Jess Breach.

There’s plenty of experience on the bench too, with Bryony Field, Akina Gondwe and Donna Rose poised to make an impact in the front-row, with the Welsh international returning to Saracens colours after a year out with injury.

Rosie Galligan could make her second debut for the club should she feature, with World Player of the Year Marlie Packer ready to add her experience to the fold.

There’s more international experience too, with Red Roses pair Ella Wyrwas and the returning Zoe Harrison ready to impact proceedings. For Harrison, this will be her first match back since her season-ending injury against Harlequins Women last season, with Cara Wardle also ready to add her experience to the game.

It’s a squad packed with experience that will start the season. For Taylor though, she was quick to emphasise that this will be a full squad effort across the entirety of the campaign.

“A lot of people forget the importance of training and the competition in training. We’ve got such depth in the group and there are quality athletes who haven’t made the 23 but having them at training drives the standards. It’s going to be the whole squad who push each other for where we want to be this season.”

Saracens Women’s Team vs Loughborough Lightning:

15. Jess Breach
14. Coreen Grant
13. Sydney Gregson
12. Sophie Bridger
11. Lotte Clapp (co-captain)
10. Amelia MacDougall
9. Leanne Infante
1. McKinley Hunt
2. May Campbell
3. Kelsey Clifford
4. Georgia Evans
5. Emma Taylor
6. Sophie De Goede
7. Sharifa Kasolo
8. Poppy Cleall
Replacements:
16. Bryony Field
17. Akina Gondwe
18. Donna Rose
19. Rosie Galligan
20. Marlie Packer (co-captain)
21. Ella Wyrwas
22. Zoe Harrison
23. Cara Wardle

With thanks to the PWR/Saracens

In the time-honoured phrase, there was little love lost between the two sides. Sarries had never lost a semi; Chiefs had never lost to the Londoners at home. Something had to give.

There were enough errors early on to show even the most experienced of players were feeling the heat (and the heat of battle was extended by a temperature approaching 30 degrees). Right at the start Holly Aitchison had a clearance kick charged down – not for the first time in her career – but fortunately for her Chiefs knocked on.

Exeter had the edge in early scrums, through Sarries sorted that out later. Both sides were prepared to take risks: a brave response to the challenges of sudden-death. That approach only added to the excitement.

It took Sarries thirteen minutes to visit Chiefs’ 22 for the first time. An Aitchison cross-kick brought a determined assault on the try-line; Leanne Infante was very inventive, often dummying to test out the fringe defences. Sarries thought they were over but Charlie Gayther decreed ‘holding on’.

Chiefs were ecstatic at winning a scrum penalty, but moments later an Aitchison penalty kick brought the visitors close to the line. From there they mounted another series of pounding attacks; this time Hannah Botterman wasn’t to be denied. (0-7)

Over the next period Chiefs had to defend like mad; they found it hard exiting their own half.

A drop-out from their own line spelled danger. Jess Breach started the counter, Lotte Clapp slipped through and delivered a scoring pass to Sarah McKenna. A lovely move.

Half-time: 0-14, the same score as the previous day’s semi, only here the visitors were on top.

The second half had problems fitting all its drama into a mere 40 minutes. Exeter came roaring out of the blocks, just as Bristol Bears had done in Gloucestershire. In the first minute Katie Buchanan made a long break. The good work continued for Kate Zackary to prove her value to the club once more with a muscular fend and touch-down. (7-14)

When offered a penalty in front, Poppy Leitch wisely opted for a kick at goal and Liv McGoverne did the job. (10-14)

On 49 minutes came a yellow for Aitchison for a deliberate knock-on. I dilate on that further down. For Sarries things grew infinitely worse when Marlie Packer suffered the same fate barely a minute later.

As she walked off, did the home crowd roar ‘Chieeeefs! or another word beginning with ‘Che’? The former, I trust.

What followed was inevitable. Hope Rogers, who till then had had a quiet game, scored to put Chiefs ahead for the first time (17-14). Sarries worked very hard while reduced to the size of a Rugby league team. Indeed, on one occasion Chiefs failed to get the ball down the line to the right wing, despite the 2-player advantage.

By the time Sarries returned to full strength, they were only those three points down. They began stringing their well-practised moves together again. Poppy Cleall showed her range of talent by suddenly hoofing the ball right down to the try-line. What vision!

Sarries now put together the longest set of phases of the entire game. Chiefs defended with grit and determination, but after several blasts at the line, the ball spun back to Aitchison who measured an exquisite kick-pass to Clapp on the left. The TMO checked for off-side, but you weren’t going to catch an experienced operator like her out. (17-21)

In the normal way of things, you would have expected Sarries to seal the game up there and then. They didn’t. Little was normal at Sandy Park. Indeed, Gayther showed his yellow card for a third time to dismiss Evans.

Exeter had a 5-metre line-out on offer, but the throw was wonky. No matter; they now mounted serious attacks on the line, and with one minute on the clock their lead was restored. Eilidh Sinclair’s face was a picture as the line opened up before her.

Time for delirium and disbelief in equal measure.

Result: Exeter Chiefs 24 Saracens 21

Teams

Exeter Chiefs
15 Doidge 14 Buchanan 13 Zackary 12 Cantorna 11 Sinclair 10 McGoverne 9 F. Robinson 1 Rogers 2 Tuttosi 3 Menin 4 Fryday 5 Leitch (captain) 6 Fleming 7 Allen 8 Johnson
Bench: 16 Moloney 17 Turani 18 Jacoby 19 van der Velden 20 Jefferies 21 M Macdonald 22 Wilkins 23 Cramer

Saracens
15 Breach 14 Grant 13 Gregson 12 McKenna 11 Clapp (co-captain) 10 Aitchison 9 Infante 1 Botterman 2 Campbell 3 Clifford 4 McMillan 5 P. Cleall 6 Evans 7 Kasolo 8 M. Packer (co-captain)
Bench: 16 Rettie 17 Carson 18 Ellis 19 McIntosh 20 Moore 21 Wyrwas 22 F. Williams 23 Alejandro

Officials:

Referee: Charlie Gayther
ARs: Jonathan Cook and James Cornell
TMO: David Rose
NB a TMO was in operation here, and he had plenty of work to do.

Afterthoughts

Over 4,000 spectators were present. From a publicity point of view, it was a pity they were all housed in the main stand, leaving the cameras to stare at an empty east stand.

Once more I raise the issue of the ‘deliberate’ knock-on. It had a profound effect on this game, as it has done all too often this season. Gayther sent three Sarries players to the bin; only one of them was for an unnecessary extra roll on the ground – but it wasn’t till the 78th minute that Georgia Evans disappeared. When Aitchison and Packer both committed the same infringement (an attempted interception), we were treated for the umpteenth time to a game of 15 v 13. Again I ask: how long does a player have to decide whether she can intercept a pass accurately or not? How many players have we seen deliberately withdrawing a hand because they know they cannot take the ball cleanly? I suspect the answer is somewhere close to zero. The non-offending side can be offered all sorts of recompenses without the need to dismiss a player from the field.

Chiefs fielded five England-qualified players in their starting 15, three backs and two forwards. I’m not sure how that benefits English rugby, but the 10-year schedule looks forward to welcoming more ‘world stars’ to the league to boost its attractiveness, so that’s all right.

In case you’d like to see the French version of an elite final, take a look at the 8-minutes long offering on www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArDSLXht1_A

Stade Bordelais (in white tops) at home versus Blagnac. It’s another close-run affair.