Match Report: Saracens Women vs Trailfinders Women

Trailfinders clinch their first piece of silverware, as they topple Saracens Women in the JAECOO PWR Next Gen Cup Final.

Claire Gallagher kicked off the JAECOO PWR Next Gen Cup Final. Saracens gathered cleanly and ran the ball up field. But the ball bounced into touch for a Trailfinders lineout. Cleanly gathered by Teya Ashworth, Trailfinders mauled fifteen metres before Brooke Bradley got the ball out, advantage with the women in green.

Saracens had a lineout in Trailfinders’ half but Jas Adonri stole the ball in the air. Trailfinders once again had an attacking opportunity. Gallagher put the grubber through but it bounced to the left into touch. Saracens turned the ball over and had a scrum in their 22. Another passage of loose ball saw it go into touch for a Trailfinders lineout.

Niamh Swailes threw straight and true to Ashworth who gathered. Trailfinders mauled forward and drew another penalty from the hosts. Yet, Saracens’ committment to the breakdown saw them steal the ball back for a box kick exit.

Another penalty from Saracens saw Trailfinders with an opportunity to kick for touch, this time on the righthand touchline. Back in Saracens’ 22, Swailes had ball in hand and threw once more to Adonri. Trailfinders mauled towards the line with great effect until the referee brought the players back for a Saracens offside. The referee showed a yellow card to Charlotte Wright-Haley.

Trailfinders reset and opted for the option that had been serving them so well: the lineout into the driving maul. Trailfinders soared over the line for the opening score of the final scored by Niamh Swailes. Charlotte Brookes kicked the conversion.

Saracens looked to reply and drew a penalty from Trailfinders themselves. A lineout into a driving maul saw the hosts go over the line for a reply try scored by Liz Crake. The conversion by Amelia MacDougall was successful.

A loose lineout from Trailfinders was gathered by Saracens’ Ellie Boatman. The home side went through the attacking phases but found a relentless green wall of defence. Yet, Trailfinders let their discipline slip and the referee awarded the hosts a penalty.

MacDougall missed touch. Inman gathered and sent the ball down field. Saracens secured the ball but pressure from Trailfinders forced the home side to knock the ball on. Trailfinders had the scrum as the clocked moved into the second quarter of the game.

After losing possession, Trailfinders regained control after Saracens through a lineout that was not straight. Bradley had the put in and got the ball out quickly from the back of the scrum. Yet, Saracens turned the ball over and continued to hunt down the whitewash.

Trailfinders served back what Saracens were dishing out at the breakdown by securing their own turnover ball. A big carry from Kalounivale helped give Trailfinders leverage to box kick for the exit.

Trailfinders were awarded a penalty on halfway after Saracens failed to release. Gallagher kicked the ball into touch. Trailfinders drilled forward after a lineout that remained in their possession. But Saracens continued their breakdown work and secured another penalty.

Possession changed hands between the sides before Saracens counter-rucked after Grace White gathered a box kick. Saracens won the penalty and opted for the corner.

Saracens responded through Tori Sellors. MacDougall successfully added the extras.

Half-time: Saracens Women 14-7 Trailfinders Women 

Physical midfield play started the second half. Trailfinders had a lineout on the halfway line which was cleanly gathered by Ashworth. Trailfinders continued to move through the attacking phases. Jas Adonri broke free from Saracens but a spilt ball saw turnover ball. Saracens drove back up field and won a penalty, followed by winning a scrum penalty.

Saracens drove through the short phases but Trailfinders held them up over the tryline. Gallagher kicked the goal line dropout.

Trailfinders secured the ball back after Saracens spilt it forward. A penalty was awarded to Trailfinders for Saracens not rolling away. They kicked the ball but Saracens gathered and moved the ball left. Further midfield play continued until Saracens opted for the kicking option.

Rosie Inman gathered and kicked the ball downfield, the bounce of the ball being favourable and going into touch.

Trailfinders nearly secured intercept ball from Saracens’ loose play but a knock-on saw for a scrum. Trailfinders won possession back after drawing a scrum penalty from the home side.

A successful lineout from Swailes to Ashworth set them up for a driving maul. The Women in green piled into the maul to see them over for the first score of the second half. The skipper Niamh Swailes was the recipient of the try. Brookes’ conversion flew wide.

With two points differentiating the two sides, physical hits and kicking territory continued to be key in the fierce midfield contest.

Saracens spilt the ball forward and Gallagher ran the ball before a kick exit. The ball bounced into touch. Then emotions started to bubble over and a scuffle unfolded on the touchline. The referee deemed Saracens to be the instigators and rewarded Trailfinders with a penalty.

The women in black managed to attack the breakdown and win another penalty. Possession did not remain with them for long as Trailfinders’ defensive pressure forced Saracens to knock the ball on.

Trailfinders were awarded another penalty in Saracens half after the hosts continued to let their discipline slip.

Trailfinders took the tap and go. Carrying from short range, Trailfinders surged forward. Annabel Meta got over the line to take Trailfinders into the lead. The conversion bounced off the posts.

The momentum continued with Trailfinders. Bradley found a gap and drove forward to the try line to score. Once again the conversion bounced onto the posts.

Saracens replied with five minutes to go with a try from Jemima Moss. MacDougall slotted the conversion. Only one point gave Trailfinders the lead with less than five minutes to go.

From the restart, Saracens carried the ball into touch for a Trailfinders lineout. Trailfinders win another penalty in the attack. Inman kicks the ball into touch. Hayley Jones threw the lineout from ten metres out. Trailfinders drove the maul forward but Saracens held them up over the whitewash.

MacDougall kicked the goal line drop out. Inman gathered and Trailfinders carried in attack.

Trailfinders managed the game superbly, as Brooke Bradley marshalled the team through then phases to see out the game and secure trailfinders their first piece of silverware!

Full-time: Saracens Women 21-22 Trailfinders Women