Trailfinders Women vs Harlequins

Match Report

Trailfinders Women narrowly lost the opening game of their inaugural Premiership Women’s Rugby campaign, losing 17-22 to Harlequins Women at the TFSC.

Tries from Liz Musgrove and Ella Amory were not enough for Trailfinders, who played with 14 for most of the game following Shannon Ikahihifo’s red card.

It was an impressive performance nevertheless, which kept them within reach throughout and secured an all-important bonus point.

Trailfinders took the lead early on, as Ellie Green kicked a penalty after sustained pressure in the Harlequins half.

Harlequins then answered back with two quick-fire tries. Trailfinders’ lack of discipline became costly, as Izzy Mayhew and Flo Robinson crossed the whitewash for the Quins within minutes of each other.

The game then took an unfortunate turn, as Trailfinders’ flanker Ikahihifo was instantly dismissed from the field for a high tackle.

Trailfinders responded brilliantly to the red card, however. Fresh off a driving maul, the side swiftly moved the ball out to the opposite wing, and Musgrove finished off the great spell of play excellently, diving over the line in the corner.

Green slotted home the conversion with a classy kick, and the sides went into half time 10-12.

14-women Trailfinders started the second half emphatically. Annabel Meta burst through the line midway into the Quins’ half, and two passes later Ella Amory scored under the posts. Green’s conversion gave Trailfinders a 17-12 lead.

Harlequins took back the lead shortly after, as Abbie Fleming bundled the ball over the try-line after successive phases. Laigi Tuima added the extra points.

Tuima further extended Harlequins’ lead from the tee, as Trailfinders were penalised at the breakdown.

Quins’ extra player advantage eventually took its toll on the home side, who were not able to capitalise on some good field position late on in the half. Harlequins held onto possession efficiently as the clock struck 80 minutes, and the game finished 17-22.