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.

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.

The event has reached the final four stage with reigning champions Australia facing India on Thursday and hosts South Africa taking on England on Friday.

Both games will start at 1500 local time and take place at the iconic Newlands ground in Cape Town.

New Zealand’s Kim Cotton and Nimali Perera of Sri Lanka will take charge of Australia against India.

Suzanne Redfern will be the third umpire and Lauren Agenbag the fourth umpire. South Africa’s Shandre Fritz will be the match referee.

The second semi-final will be adjudicated by Australia’s Claire Polosak and West Indies’ Jacqueline Williams, with Eloise Sheridan as TV umpire and Vrinda Rathi as the fourth umpire. India’s GS Lakshmi will be the match referee.

With thanks to the ICC

Canada v England, kick-off 03.30

New Zealand v France, kick-off 06.30

Both times GMT

The Outlook

Just four sides are left, and they happen to be the top-four in world rankings.

The long-term hope must be that within the space of three short years other nations – USA? Italy? Australia? – may advance enough to offer real competition for these prized places. But the odds are that the 2025 RWC will come too soon for such a new look. World Rugby’s strategy for expansion has to be even longer-term.

Canada deserve high praise for being the only truly amateur side to survive.

That is the pinch-point of course. We can look forward to far more contracted players competing in the tenth RWC in England, but progress won’t come easily. As a prize example: the Scottish Rugby Union baffled many people by announcing the offer of contracts, but only after the end of the current tournament. This generosity won’t come quickly or abundantly enough for the Scots to make the breakthrough they all desire. And not only Hannah Smith may have retired from duty by then.

Predictions

Canada v England

Of the two games, only the first offers a clear-cut winner – the Red Roses put 50 points on the Maple Leafs last autumn (51-12 at the Stoop). In Aotearoa the Canadians are playing infinitely better; their powerful pack is supported by an able half-back link, Justine Pelletier and Alex Tessier, and pacy backs. And yet they lost the services of their regular No 9, Brianna Miller, to injury.

Sophie de Goede has consistently proved how right the management was to appoint her captain, despite her youth.

Their set-pieces have even been more secure than England’s (thanks Optajonny).

But the Leafs remain amateurs, and the weekly slog of matches is bound to make itself felt. It wll be interesting to see if Kevin Rouet makes changes to last weekend’s squad.

For England, the management’s big decision is whether to pick a side purely to win this one match, or to look forward to a winner-takes-all final. What are likely to be the pressure-points against either les Bleues or the Black Ferns and do they prepare their team with an eye on the following weekend?

That would mean a change of policy (I’d like to coin the phrase ‘take one game at a time’, but fear I may be too late). But that final has been at the back and front of their minds for five years.

The critics have been loud in their condemnation of the Red Roses. ‘Boring’ is a much used adjective.

‘If they go on playing like this, they’ll drive the crowds away’. ‘A real turn-off’; and so on.

It’s as if these close analysts have limited their viewing to England’s last four games. Maybe they’d nodded off by the 14th minute of the quarter-final; the ball flung up and down the line despite the torrential rain.

A claim that the backs don’t see the ball flies in the face of the stats: Jess Breach, Abby Dow, Emily Scarratt and co. have been scoring tries by the dozen. And, as the saying goes, you can only play the teams placed in front of you. The Black Ferns have feasted on the Wallaroos 23 times without a reverse.

So yet another advance to the final seems probable.

France v New Zealand

This is a game to set the pulses racing.

The Black Ferns may well start as favourites. It’s by no means a given, since it involves ending a four-match losing streak, and France, even without Laure Sansus and Romane Ménager, are no pushovers.

But crucially this is the first time they have to overcome the five-time trophy winners on Kiwi soil.

Two notable stats from the France-Italy quarter-final:

1. France kicked 22 times and regained possession 14 times! The danger against the Ferns is that a misguided boot offers the ball to their most dangerous opponents.

2. Les Bleues have conceded fewer points (21) thus far than any other team.

Wayne Smith is unlikely to place a high priority on booting the ball, and France enjoy the counter- attack as much as anyone.

One selection headache he has concerns the return to fitness of co-captain Kennedy Simon. She played the last half-hour of the Wales match, Sarah Hirini the rest. Does he keep the same pattern a second time?

A lot of rain has fallen on northern New Zealand in recent days, but for next weekend the forecast is better. The drier the conditions, the happier for the Black Ferns; their obvious strength lies out behind. Against England, France have shown enormous resilience in that part of the field. Their centres, Gabrielle Vernier and Maëlle Filopon proved a match for the Red Roses’ midfielders, but they may yet regret the absence of their two leading wingers, Cyrielle Banet and Caroline Boujard. Joanna Grisez has transferred her skills from 7s to 15s with conspicuous success, but we wait to see who is picked at 11.

The French set-piece isn’t quite on a par with the English, but can help them dominate. That is a key area for the Ferns; their set-scrum and above all their line-out must be in good working order. If the latter isn’t, expect the French to keep booting the ball deep into touch to reinforce their authority.

It will be 50 weeks since the terminal Castres game.

This season, Thunder have taken the league by storm, having posted scores of 80 or over on three separate occasions, including a record-breaking 88 goals against Wasps on Saturday 23rd April – an average of a goal every 40 seconds. A score of 80 has never been seen in the Vitality Netball Superleague before Manchester Thunder have done it for the first time this season.

Now that the regular 2022 season is over, the top four in the table will head to the Semi-Final play-offs. With Manchester Thunder finishing the season at the top of the table, they will take on fourth place Team Bath in the Semi-Finals at Thunder’s home venue on Jubilee bank holiday Friday 3rd June at 6.30pm. Second place Loughborough Lightning, who are the current Superleague champions, will play at home against London Pulse at 8pm on Friday 3rd June.

Having just returned from the Australian Suncorp Super Netball to sign for Thunder, England Netball international Natalie Metcalf said, “Making the Final four with a few rounds games left was an awesome achievement for us and we know there’s still a long way to go yet.”

“From a Thunder perspective, you always want to go in wanting to win as soon as you step onto court but we always want to be able to play the Thunder way and focus on our performance. If we play well and do a good job and stick to the task then hopefully the result would speak for itself.”

“I think that when you get to the Final four anything can happen so I think for us it’s just exciting to be here,” added Metcalf. “I want to be able to compete and obviously get to that Grand Final more than anything but for us it’s about focusing on the final game, finding good form, going into the finals and playing a good Semi-Final and seeing where that takes us.”

One of the huge driving factors of Manchester Thunder’s success this season have been their partners and sponsors, who have contributed towards the investment in the team, both on and off court in new signings, the performance coaching team, nutritionists, physios, training facilities and more. One such partner is nQ legal, who are the official legal partner of Manchester Thunder and sponsors of Head Coach and Director of Netball, Karen Greig. Led by commercial lawyers Tony Brook and Carol Thompson, and a small select group of consultants, they specialise in providing legal advice and consultancy services to businesses and individuals involved in entertainment, sport, the arts, media, music, retail/leisure and the creative industries.

Carol Thompson from nQ legal said, “It’s been a really exciting season so far, with the return spectators and with Manchester Thunder making history with their winning run. The atmosphere at the home games has been electric. We are delighted to be part of the set up and to continue our long- standing support of the club. We are very proud of Thunder’s achievements so far and our commitment is to help the club continue to develop and achieve success. We wish them huge success for Finals weekend.”

Manchester Thunder is inviting everyone to attend their Semi-Final match at Belle Vue on Friday, to experience the amazing atmosphere in the Thunderdome and to create as much noise as possible to help Thunder secure their place in the Grand Final on Sunday 5th June at the Copper Box in London.

If you want to buy tickets for the Semi-Final at 6.30pm on Friday 3rd June against Team Bath, you can get them at www.manchesterthunder.co.uk/tickets. Alternatively you can watch the game live on Sky Sports from 6pm.

If you want to find out more about nQ legal and what they can offer you, please visit www.nqlegal.co.uk.

With thanks to Manchester Thunder

The Sandy Park game had all the drama and emotion that the StoneX game lacked.

It saw an astonishing comeback by Bristol Bears from a half-time deficit of 21-12 – and that had been even wider at 21-0.

In the London match-up this season’s results had been: 36-17 to Quins at the StoneX; 22-8 to Sarries at the Stoop. So this time round?

Saracens v Harlequins

The heat reminded us how late in the season this was. The rockets and the red smoke made it even hotter for the visitors, but they got off to the better start. A penalty brought them close to the line, but a first catch-and-drive failed to work, a portent of what was to come.

The next moment Sarries were at the other end of the field showing them how to do it. The magic ingredient was Poppy Cleall who spotted the ball lying in front of her and was over. (5-0)

A second move was very different: Sarries spread the ball wide right for Alycia Harrigan to work it back inside. There was Marlie Packer to finish the job. (12-0) England’s two deadliest loose forwards making all the difference.

Quins were far more accident-prone than they had planned, their breakdown clearances slow, and the backs couldn’t be relied on to make the right choices. Lagi Tuima did achieve a fine half-break, but was still prone to unforced errors like passes into thin air.

The Quins back-line is as close to a first-choice England selection as you can imagine, but the number of times they really opened the throttle could be counted on one hand. Even the reliable Rachael Burford hoisted a chip into the opposition 22 where it handed possession over.

Alev Kelter nudged the hosts further ahead with a penalty. (15-0)

Quins scored their first try when Kelter was yellow-carded. Amy Cokayne timed her final pass to Jess Breach on the blind-side, but she had to dot down at once so no conversion from the left edge. (15-5)

They thought they had their second (so did the referee!) as a wonderful break saw Breach race down to touchline and feed inside to Ellie Kildunne. She finished under the posts, and Quins fans breathed again.

But then an AR intervened to question that last pass. Yes, it was well forward.

Now Tuima chipped the ball into the Sarries’ 22 only for Lotte Clapp to claim it and set off. Result: a second try for Cleall, and a half-time score of 22-5.

Sarries almost out of sight.

Quins fell further behind when Lucy Packer had the misfortune to see a box-kick charged down. Sarries drove and May Campbell added to her harvest of tries. Packer didn’t have the happiest of days, and there must be concerns about her position as the No 3 scrum-half in the country. (27-5)

Kelter knocked over another penalty to put the hosts out of reach.

Amy Cokayne completed what is laughably called a consolation try, but there was little to console the visitors.

The truth is that the loss of Abbie Ward and Leanne Infante to the west country has hit them harder than they care to admit. Their replacements are all internationals, but not (yet) of the same standing.

The ‘Famous Quarters’ were absent from parade once again!

This was Gerard Mullen’s last game in charge.

Result:

Saracens 30 Harlequins 10

Player of the Match: Poppy Cleall

Teams:

Saracens:

McKenna; Harrigan, Kelter, Casey, Clapp (co-c); Aitchison, Wyrwas; Botterman, Camopbell, Clifford; Cleall, McIntosh; Carson, Fleetwood, Packer M. (co-c)

Bench:

Evans, Rose, Ellis, Green, Rettie, Goddard, Wardle, Vaughan-Fowler

Quins:

Kildunne; Cowell, Tuima, Burford (captain), Breach; Scott, Packer L.; Cornborough, Cokayne, Brown; Galligan, Bonar; Mew, Harper, Beckett

Bench:

Bloor, Viksten, Edwards, Fletcher, Brooks, Aucken, Green, Mayhew

Officials:
Referee: Nikki O’Donnell
ARs: TBC and Ian Bibey
TMO: Dean Richards

Exeter Chiefs v Bristol Bears

This game had all the tension and passion that StoneX lacked. Chiefs strode into a 21-0 lead, all three tries to the forwards, Hope Rogers (2) and Linde van der Velden. The fans exulted and the drums throbbed.

But Bears, unlike Quins, responded. Hannah West completed their first big drive, then Abbie Ward, sensing another drive had stopped too early, fed Keira Bevan for a snap try.

In the second half Bears completed the only fluent backs move of the game for Phoebe Murray to sail in unopposed.

Seven minutes to go and – horror of horrors (for home fans)! – West was in for her second helping and the Bears were ahead for the first time.
The next moment they found themselves defending desperately. As the clock wound towards the red zone, the Chiefs’ pack, led by the exemplary Kate Zackary, drove at the Bears’ line.

Flo Robinson then darted at the blind-side, in a move made famous this season by Laure Sansus. The defence was one short and Jennine Detiveaux was the beneficiary.

An outpouring of emotion, not least from the head coach.

Result:

Exeter Chiefs 28 Bristol Bears 24

Teams:

Exeter:

Doidge; Sinclair, Kobayashi, Cantorna, Detiveaux; Garcia, Robinson; Rogers, Tuttosi, Menin; Fryday, van der Velden; Leitch, Johnson, Zackary (captain)

Bench:

Nielson, Hunt, Roberts, Jefferies, Senft, Bradley, Foster, McGillivray

Bristol:

Powell; Hesketh, Murray, Reed, (co-c) Keight; Skuse, Bevan; Pam, West, Bern; Burns, Ward (co-c); Butchers, Johnes, Lillicrap

Bench:
Phillips, Kill, Mulhearn, John, Nigrelli, Burgess, Snowsill, Lovibond

Officials:
Referee: Charlie Gayther
ARs: Simon Adams and Peter Brunt
TMO: Sara Cox

Final: Exeter Chiefs v Saracens, Sixways, Worcester, Friday 3 June (your extra Platinum-plated holiday)

Afterthoughts

The draw for the last four meant that Saracens and Quins could not continue their domination of the finals.

In the long term that is all for the best. Nothing worse than having a competition where one, at the best two, teams compete for the top prize every year. Bayern Munchen are a prime case in the Bundesliga.

The two new semi-finalists had taken diametrically opposite routes to this stage.

Bristol Bears were constant under-achievers over the first four years of the competition. They then had a big turnover of staff and players, gave themselves a new training-centre, built a large new following and have flourished.

Exeter Chiefs were the brainchild of Tony Rowe, who oversaw the rise of the men’s team to the pinnacle of English men’s rugby, then extended his sights to the women’s sector.

The one concern about their advance is its dependence on overseas players to provide the quality needed for success at the top level. Once more, only three England-qualified players took the field.

The lack of tries in the wide open spaces mirrored the pattern of England’s game against France. Tries from driven mauls come to look all too easy when in such profusion. Just two tries to the wide backs today, Breach and Murray.

Emirates FA Cup
Saturday 16 April: Manchester City v Liverpool at 15:30 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer
Sunday 17 April: Chelsea v Crystal Palace at 16:30 on ITV, ITV Hub, STV and UTV

Comprehensive radio coverage of the Emirates FA Cup Semi Finals will also be provided by BBC 5 Live and talkSPORT.

Vitality Women’s FA Cup
Saturday 16 April: West Ham United v Manchester City at 12:15 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer
Sunday 17 April: Arsenal v Chelsea at 12:30 on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer

Travel advice
The FA recognises the significant challenges that are being faced by some Liverpool and Manchester City supporters with train services being severely limited due to essential engineering works being carried out over the bank holiday weekend by Network Rail on the West Coast Mainline.

On Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 April there will be no trains running between London Euston and Scotland on the West Coast Mainline. All services on this route will be affected, including between London and the North West. These planned works will also make services operated by Chiltern Railways extremely busy.

Therefore, The FA, Network Rail and Chiltern Railways strongly advise that Liverpool and Manchester City supporters affected should avoid travelling from the North West by train wherever possible and seek alternative travel arrangements including those detailed below:

Free Bus Travel
The FA is pleased to announce that a limited number of free return bus services will be provided for both the Emirates FA Cup and Vitality Women’s FA Cup Semi Finals involving Liverpool and Manchester City on Saturday 16 April to support fans from the North West who wish to travel to and from London.

The FA will charter 100 buses from Anfield and the Etihad Stadium respectively to Wembley Stadium and back. This will ensure that up to 5,000 Liverpool and Manchester City supporters will be able to travel to Wembley Stadium free of charge for their Semi Final tie.

The FA is also committed to provide a number of free return bus services for Manchester City Women supporters travelling from the North West to East London.

These bus schedules are subject to availability, must be pre-booked, and the clubs will provide more information in due course.

In addition, The FA is working with its partners at National Highways to ensure that the road networks are running as efficiently as possible over the Easter period. Hundreds of miles of unessential roadworks will be put on hold to help supporters enjoy the occasion and enhance their journeys, and these motorists are encouraged to make sure that their vehicles are roadworthy before setting off.

Car Parking at Wembley Stadium
Limited pre-booked car parking is available at Wembley Stadium and further details can be seen here. Blue badge holders are advised to select the appropriate category when pre-booking to avoid long distances to and from the stadium.

Transport for London
Liverpool and Manchester City supporters in London can use any of the following underground and overground services and stations to access Wembley Stadium:

Wembley Park station – Metropolitan and Jubilee lines
Wembley Central station – Bakerloo line, London Overground and Southern rail services
Wembley Stadium station – Chiltern Rail services

With thanks to the FA

Holders Chelsea were joined in the draw by London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, while both the red and blue sides of Manchester, United and City, were represented in the last four.

The draw was made on talkSPORT2 this afternoon by former England international Gemma Davison, who won the competition with Arsenal in 2012 and 2013.

The draw is as follows:

• Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur
• Chelsea v Manchester United

Ties will be played on 2-3 February 2022.

The kick-off time for the Final on Saturday 5 March at AFC Wimbledon’s Cherry Red Records Stadium has now been confirmed as 5.15pm, with the game live on BBC Two. Tickets for the Final are now on sale priced at £10 for adults and £2.50 for Under-16s and can be purchased at www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/tickets.

With thanks to the FA

Harlequins v Wasps

Wasps were simply not allowed to impose their game on Quins for long enough to register their first win over them in the Premier 15s. Like several England sides you may have seen recently, they had one better half – the second – but were playing catch-up after letting Quins stride away in the first.

Wasps lost their first line-out in the third minute; it was not to be their last. When you have Amy Cokayne and Abbie Ward providing the surest link in this department, you can’t afford to waste such vital possession.

Ten minutes in, and a typical series of Quins’ pick-and-goes allowed Ellie Green to pot a penalty. (3-0) A high tackle by Lagi Tuima on Kate Alder let Wasps advance to Quins’ 22, but they couldn’t exploit the position.

Up to the first water-break there had been plenty of endeavour, but few flashes of brilliance. Defences held strong.

More accuracy at a Quins’ line-out led to another set of drives, this one finished off by Vickii Cornborough, whose work in the loose gets better with every passing season. Green converted. (8-0)

Wasps repeated their failings: after another kick to the corner; a line-out was overthrown and possession lost.

As you might expect, they were finding far less space than in the previous round against Bristol; even their threatening back three, Quansah-Dow-Kildunne, could make little headway. When possession was turned over, often by Shaunagh Brown’s efforts, Leanne Riley could find acute angles for her kicks, or the midfield would make useful ground.

Maud Muir, who had a fine game in the No 3 shirt, covered herself in glory when she caught Jess Breach on one of her top-speed raids and forced her into touch.

But the moment came for the 2,000 crowd to get their money’s worth: clean off the top by Ward, the ball spun into midfield to Tuima; she threatened damage but then offered a totally unexpected off-load to Breach as she came screaming through the centre. This turned into another golden Breach try, as she switched direction past Sammy Wong trying to cover. Green converted. 15-0.

Once again Wasps tried to revert to their quick handling game; once again they were harried into error.

Quins responded with a repeat of their opening score – a series of punishing drives and a penalty for Green.

Half-time: 18-0

Wasps still weren’t able to force their game on the opposition after the turn-round. A telling moment came when Cokayne spotted a pass coming and intercepted; she sprinted deep into the enemy half, but Wasps regathered to save the day; Kildunne cleared to the half-way line.

With Quins winning most of the collisions, their backs had more space to move in. Emily Scott made an outstanding run down the left channel to keep the opposition on the back foot. But Wasps were resilient; they regained possession, cleared their ground, then found themselves stringing moves together.

They showed confidence by opting for a scrum, then won a penalty plus another 10 metres as Riley hung on to the ball. The upshot was a series of drives at the line. To show how their normal methods were being distorted, the forward who twisted, turned and thrust her way over the line under the posts was Dow! Flo Williams converted. (18-7)

This was their chance to turn the tables, but Quins were having none of it. Instead, they built another menacing attack. As the ball swung right into the centre, the master-passer, Rachael Burford, suddenly gave a reverse to Breach who cut through the middle again to score under the posts. This was the sort of move Wasps had been producing all season; today it was Quins who showed the fancy hands. (25-7)

Breach’s game took a sharp turn for the worse as Wasps countered. At last Dow had the ball on the right wing close to the line. Tuima and Breach both dived in to tackle her; she was forced into touch inches short. Breach came off worst in the collision; she left the field on a stretcher to warm applause. An ankle injury was feared.

Wasps can at least claim they posted the last score: another series of drives saw Andrea Stock, recently on in the front row, dive over.

Result: Quins 25 Wasps 14

Player of the Match: Leanne Riley

Teams:

Quins: Scott; Wilcock, Tuima, Burford (C), Breach; Green, Riley; Cornborough, Cokayne, Brown; Ward, Fletcher; Brooks, Mew, Beckett
Bench: Dobson, Edwards, Robinson, Mayhew, Viksten, Eddie, L. Packer, Cowell

Wasps: Kildunne; Dow, Burton, Alder (C), Quansah; Williams, Wong; West, Moloney, Muir; Burnfield, Mooney, Crake, Kabeya, Millar-Mills
Bench: Stock, Ransley, Monaghan, Balogun, Molloy, Mason, Mitchelson, Edwards

Officials:
Referee: Nick Wood
ARs: James Clarke and Katherine Ritchie

Saracens v Loughborough Lightning

If Lightning were supposed to be the rank outsiders, they put the doubters in the wrong by stretching Sarries to the utmost in Hendon. They started at full pelt, repossessing fast and using all their units to stretch Sarries’ defences. They had the nerve to score their first try with a driven maul (try to Lark Davies – hardly needs mentioning, her 20th this season) straight out of the Saracens’ guide book.

But that book also commands: ‘Respond immediately!’ So Poppy Cleall drove over at the other end.

Emily Scarratt made amends for missing out on a 40 metre penalty by offering Rhona Lloyd a magnificent no-look pass for her to race through the middle to the line.

Over the rest of the game the Clealls took it in turns to score; they finished with two each. .

While we were busy admiring the contest between the two best English No 10s, Harrison and Rowland, Poppy Cleall finished the first half with her own version of fly-half play, a cross kick for Rachel Laqeretabua. It didn’t quite work.

After the break Sarries reasserted their authority, combining efficiently across the field. They moved into a 28-19 lead, but got no further. Lightning stuck to their task admirably, Davies hoisting her 21st try of the season, to finish a mere three behind Kelly Smith’s record of 24.

Around the 60-minute mark Lightning built a multi-phase attack of huge intensity and variety. Rowland almost put Lloyd away on the left, but in the end a delayed Jess Weaver pass allowed Sarries to get their hands on the ball again. and their backs threatened.

Lightning gained a late advantage when Vicky Fleetwood was yellowed for a tackle off the ball, and they exploited it. Bryony Field finished off a determined drive to the line. But time had run out.

The England selectors, present at both matches, will have been pleased with the overall standards, but concerned at injuries to important players, Breach and O’Donnell to name but two. Helena Rowland gave another display of all-round brilliance with hand, foot and brain. But she was matched by the ever cool Zoe Harrison.

Result: Saracens 28 Loughborough Lightning 24
Player of the Match: Sophie de Goede

Teams:

Saracens: McKenna; Laqeretabua, Gregson, Casey, Clapp (C),; Harrison, Swords; Botterman, Campbell, B. Cleall; De Goede, Taylor; Fleetwood, M. Packer, P. Cleall
Bench: Rettie, Clark, Rose, Galligan, Evans, Hayward, Aitchison, Hayward

Loughborough Lightning: Goulden; Vistisen, Scarratt, Hardy, Lloyd; Rowland, Davey; D. Harper, Davies, Menin; Duguid, O’Donnell; Wassell, Malcom (C), Hunter
Bench: Field, Bartlett, Bourke, A. Harper, Noon, Weaver, Tasker, Jones

Officials:
Referee: Nikki O’Donnell
ARs: Daniel Rowlands and Michael Woods
with thanks to rugbyreferee.net

So the final will be between Saracens and Harlequins at Kingsholm Gloucester on May 30, KO 4 pm

Afterthoughts

The one unexpected detail across the two games was Loughborough outshining Wasps. When they are at or near full strength, as they were at the StoneX, they look a truly formidable unit. This was their third tight game against the champions in a row. Once again, the difference between them was the name Cleall. For all Wasps’ endeavours, spectators at the Stoop never had the feeling they could carry the day.

It was sad to hear that both Katie Mason and Sarah Mitchelson are minded to retire at the season’s end. Mason showed her great range of skills by coming on at No 9 and upping her team’s intensity. Last week she scored a hat-trick on the wing. Unusually, Giselle Mather had opted for a 6/2 split in favour of forwards, no doubt in readiness for the pressure the Quins’ pack would bring to bear. Mitchelson has been playing for the club for thirteen seasons, an outstanding servant to the cause. Once a Wasp, …

Radio Leicester were interested spectators at the Lightning game. The commentator gave his Leicester-slanted view of things, hoping Lightning could soon be seen playing at Welford Road. That would offer them the sort of spotlight they deserve.

He was less impressed when Cath O’Donnell had to limp off the field on crutches. Where was the stretcher?

Photo: Bruce Perkins

If we felt sorry for Sarries losing three Red Roses to injury (Vicky Fleetwood, Bryony Cleall and Marlie Packer), we should note the eleven (11!) who strode out to put Wasps in their place.

It took them nearly 20 minutes to get off the mark, but it was a six-hit out of the ground that did it. Zoe Harrison snaked through and delivered a remarkable offload to Jodie Rettie who found the field opening up in front of her. She galloped over.

Luck was on the home team’s side. Sara Cox didn’t spot a high tackle by Lotte Clapp. The next moment there was a short forward pass (also unnoticed) which allowed Sarah McKenna to give Clapp a scoring pass.

In the second half the other basis of Saracen strength came to bear. They drove and drove for Poppy Cleall to score by the left post. Then Hannah Botterman repeated the dose to put her side 24-6 ahead. Rosie Galligan became the third forward in a row to complete Sarries’ scoring. That in itself is proof of where the team’s ultimate strength lies. 

Wasps find life difficult against the best teams. They did beat Sarries last year – by a single score – and they have plenty of talent spread through the side. But their backs rarely manage to move the ball dangerously past the opposition; too many lateral moves militate against penetration; too often they can be bundled into touch, as if they were playing on a narrow pitch. Their highest try-scorer remains Claudia Macdonald, the scrum-half; that tells its own story.

Once more they asked Lizzie Goulden to kick penalty goals rather than take a chance on a move. She popped two over, but the score mounts very slowly that way.

Not for the first time this season, they reserved their best move for the end of the game. A crisp ball into midfield saw a vibrant pod of three burst unstoppably over the line. Try to Louise Dodd. Why not earlier? By then the hosts had passed 30 points and were out of sight.

Final Result: 31-13

Quins v Lightning – Stoop 14 April

Photo: Bruce Perkins

A dramatic start: Ellie Green kicked a penalty to the corner, Abbie Scott won the line-out, Quins drove and Katy Daley-Mclean saw a yellow card brandished for pulling down. All inside two minutes. We can debate the merits of that law till kingdom come; it remains a rich source of one-up-manship for the attacking team. Too rich?

Lightning responded at once. Sarah Hunter offloaded to Sarah Bonar who strode through a long way. The ball came back fast, and there was Emily Scarratt aiming a long cut-out pass that gave Carys Williams the chance to show her winger’s credentials. Emily Scott’s covering tackle came just too late.  A great team try in the left corner.

If any home supporters doubted the quality of the invaders, they were disabused here. They may have forgotten that Lightning saw off the Quins 41-17 in Round 3.

Strange to relate, Green didn’t find her kicking boots till later. Both her first two shots sliced right, then a tactical kick plopped straight into touch. But she had the mental resources to return to form.

Quins didn’t find scoring easy; their opponents meant business. But when a forward drive came close to the line, Jade Konkel proved her unstoppable self with a second try.

At the break the visitors must have thought they were in with a good chance of victory, only seven points down. Their one handicap was the departure of Emily Scarratt; she suffered a suspected dislocated thumb after the first quarter of the game. She and Daley-Mclean shared duties in tactical kicking. Their input pushed Quins back over large tracts of land. Inexperienced players must find that one of the hardest burdens to bear.

Scarratt’s injury at least allowed Carys Williams to resume her normal position of No 13, while another international, Charlotte Pearce, added pace to the left wing.

Half-time: 12-5

Photo: Bruce Perkins

Lightning restarted well, Rachel Malcolm making a great break down the left, but when Pearce threw an inside pass from the very edge, it didn’t go to hand. For all their aggressive intent they found the hosts at their most unyielding.

Into the last quarter, and the quality of Quins’ forward play took the eye. They drove with constant changes in the point of attack for Vickii Cornborough to finish the job. A 19-5 lead gave the hosts breathing space.

A late Quins drive took them to the 5-metre line once again. As the referee blew for a penalty, Leanne Riley was one step ahead. She tapped and was over before the defence could react.

This fourth try ensured victory, but Lightning deserve credit for having the last word. The replacement scrum-half, Meg Davey, went over in the left corner. She was their third-choice No 9, as Ella Wyrwas was missing through injury. Her Scottish replacement, Jennie Maxwell, has an efficient pass, but it normally comes on the end of a three-step prelude, which meant that Daley-Mclean was too often deprived of vital thinking time.

One curiosity about this high-class match: the three head coaches, Karen Findlay, Gary Street and Rhys Edwards have between them coached three national sides: Scotland, England and Wales. When did that last happen?

Final Result: 26-10

Attendance: 1265

Afterthought

Firstly, a show of hands, please: who’s in favour of a final knock-out sequence at the end of a 6-month league season? Ah, that’s 2 in favour, and 998 against. Never mind, they can be quite tense, even if the underdog fails to win every time.

Of the two games the second was more rewarding. It remained competitive for longer and offered the crowd a wider range of skills from both sides.

Quite astonishingly, no fewer than 31 England internationals were on view over the weekend. Add to them players from Canada, the USA, France, Spain, Sweden, Germany, Scotland, Ireland, New Zealand and Wales, and you get a sense of the quality on show.

There were two convincing winners, the same two as last year. Quins came agonisingly close to beating Sarries in the final moments of that first Tyrrells final. Next time they must make sure they don’t let their opponents establish an unbridgeable lead.

Northampton is likely to see the greatest club game yet put on show in England.

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