Exeter Chiefs Women vs Trailfinders Women

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Trailfinders fought valiantly against a strong Exeter side who deny them points on the road. 

Meg Jones kicked off the action sending the ball into the home side’s 22. Chiefs gathered and kicked into touch for a Trailfinders line out on the fifty-metre line.

After throwing their own line out, the Chiefs went through the phases in Trailfinders’ half. A penalty was awarded by Richard Gordon the referee for a high tackle from the visitors and Chiefs kicked to the corner for a line out on the edge of the 22.

Chiefs had another line out, this time five metres out and hit the driving maul hard for the opening score of the game. The conversion by Liv McGoverne was successful.

Back on the attack, Trailfinders were awarded a penalty for the home side not rolling away. Jones put the nudge towards the corner for a line out in Exeter’s 22.

Trailfinders hit the driving maul then spread the ball out wide to the backs. Yet, strong defensive pressure from the home side saw Trailfinders lose the ball forward.

Chiefs had another line out but a fantastic steal from Maia Roos gave Trailfinders the ball once more. J0nes moved quickly and put boot to ball to send the team down field back into Exeter’s 22.

Trailfinders stole the ball once more after Chiefs’ line out and found attacking phases ten metres out from the try line. Playing with advantage, Trailfinders continued to carry through the forwards. After several phases, the attacking play was fruitful. Alana Borland got over the line for the first Trailfinders try. Niamh Gallagher added the extras.

The home side responded fiercely with their own attacking phases in Trailfinders’ 22. The women in black drove through short range and secured a second try in their persistent efforts. The conversion was successful by McGoverne.

A penalty was awarded to Trailfinders and Jones sent the ball down field for Georgia Ponsonby to send a long ball to Maia Roos in the air. The women in yellow spread the ball out wide to the left wing and once again secured another penalty from the home side’s ill-discipline. Yet, a knock-on from the visitors saw Trailfinders’ offensive effort halted for the time being.

A scrum penalty reinstated Trailfinders’ attacking opportunity however. Jones kicked to the corner for a five metre line out. But a not straight throw meant that the forwards reset for a five metre scrum.

Claudia Maloney-MacDonald made a break through the centre of the field in Trailfinders’ 22, giving her side an attacking foundation. But Trailfinders’ defensive pressure saw the Chiefs throw a forward pass, leading to a Trailfinders scrum. The women in yellow won the scrum and Jones sent the ball down field once again.

Kate Zackary threw the ball inside to Abi Burton who stormed through the Chiefs defence. But Chiefs managed to get turnover ball and ran it back down field as time in the first half dwindled.

A score for the home side just before half-time gave them scoreboard advantage heading into the changing rooms.

Half-time: Exeter Chiefs 21-7 Trailfinders Women

Alex Tessier kicked off the second half but the ball was cleanly gathered by her Canadian international teammate Claire Gallagher who also put boot to ball.

Trailfinders contained Exeter’s attack within the centre of the field until they conceded a penalty which Tessier kicked into touch.

Chiefs piled into the maul but the ball went forward after it came out of the back of the maul. Yet, Exeter were playing with advantage. Richard Gordon marched the players back for Alex Tessier to kick the ball into the corner. A quick passage of play set the Chiefs up for their bonus-point try. The kick from McGoverne went wide of the posts.

Trailfinders were not to be deterred and went through offensive phases of their own. Yet, Cassandra Tuffnail was shown a yellow card for penalising in Exeter’s 22.

Trailfinders reset and stole Exeter’s line out. Yet, a loose passage of play saw Exeter with ball in hand once more.

Borland continued to impress in the air as she stole yet another line out from a Chiefs throw-in. It set up the attacking platform for the women in yellow. However, Chiefs regathered the ball and sent it into the stands to clear their lines.

Ponsonby had the ball for a shorter line out throw to Rachel Malcolm. The ball went out to the backs allowing the forwards to shift into their offensive positions. Chiefs remained valiant in defence. Trailfinders played with advantage and Jones opted to kick the ball to the corner.

The women in yellow drove the ball forward, Gordon’s arm out for the visitors to play with advantage. Trailfinders reset with a kick from Jones for Ponsonby to throw another line out.

Exeter continued to concede penalties in defence as Trailfinders looked to move the ball from short range. Chiefs conceded another penalty and Richard Gordon issued a warning to Emily Robinson the Exeter skipper for her team’s ill-discipline.

Trailfinders went from the tap and go from the hands of Ponsonby and she soared over the line for the second try. N. Gallagher converted.

Chiefs quickly responded with a chip and chase, setting up Claudia Maloney-MacDonald for a try. Gabby Cantorna added the conversion for the home side.

With a full compliment returned to the field, Trailfinders looked to bounce back in the final quarter of the match.

However, the home side looked to extend their lead and scored once more from short range.

Chiefs remained ruthless in attack to score a seventh try from short range from the hands of Maisy Allen.

A scoreless final five minutes ensured that the home side secured the Round Fourteen win.

Full-time: Exeter Chiefs 47-14 Trailfinders Women

Player of the Match: Flo Robinson, Exeter Chiefs

Exeter Chiefs – 

Tries: Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald 5 20 40, Amy Rule 45, Claudia Maloney-MacDonald 60, Maisy Allen 68 73

Conversions: Liv McGoverne 6 21 40, Gabby Cantorna 62 68 74

Trailfinders Women – 

Tries: Alana Borland 13, Georgia Ponsonby 58

Conversions: Niamh Gallagher 14 60

Yellow cards: Cassandra Tuffnail 49