MATCH REPORT: TRAILFINDERS WOMEN VS HARLEQUINS

Trailfinders Women record their biggest victory in three years, as the battle for West London saw the Green and White’s of Ealing come out on top after a rampant display, culminating in a 72-12 win.

Trailfinders set the tone early, with an early Maul try from Amanda McQuade. Just four minutes later, Jess Cooksey sped over the line to dot down after a quick ball out to the wing from Rosie Inman to extend the gap to ten points after just eight minutes played.

The tries kept coming, as Harlequins had no answer for the dominance of the Trailfinders driving maul. This time it was Scotland U20’s Scarlet Down who crashed over following a powerful surge from the forward pack.

On the 29-minute-mark, it was time for Ruby Tui to open her account for the Club, as Bo Westcombe Evans broke the defensive line and threw an offload from the floor perfectly into the World Cup Winner’s hands for her to dive over for the score in the corner. Rosie Inman expertly added the extras from out wide to take the score to 22-0 in favour of the Home side.

Just five minutes later, assist maker turned scorer as Westcombe Evans received the ball from Jess Cooksey to speed past the opposition Fullback and cross the line for the score.

Quins weren’t going down without a fight however, as Maja Meuller answered back with a score from a driving maul of their own. Ella Cromack converted to bring the score to 27-7 with 36 minutes played.

Ruby Tui saw a yellow card on the 38-minute-mark for a high tackle on Solana Shaw De Leon. Quins capitalised on this, scoring through Joy Okechukwu just before the teams headed into the sheds. Cromack added the extras and the scoreline read 27-12 in favour of the Home side at Halftime.

HALFTIME SCORE: TRAILFINDERS 27-12 HARLEQUINS

Trailfinders started the Second-half with the same intent that they started the first with, as Red Rose Hayley Jones profited from another excellent driving maul following her pinpoint lineout throw to Jas Adonri. Inman added the extras to widen the points margin yet again.

Quins were looking to apply some pressure with some good phases in the Trailfinders 22′, but Rosie Inman pounced with perfect timing to intercept Ella Cromack’s pass and run in an 80 yard try. She converted her own try to bring the scoreline to 41-12 on what was becoming the perfect afternoon on her 50th Cap for the Club.

Red Rose flyer Westcombe Evans was shortly in again, as she scythed through the defence and brought the try tally up to eight for Trailfinders. Inman converted again.

Harlequins answered back through Sarah Parry who grubbered through and regathered well to score under the posts.

On the 63-minute-mark, Canadian international Cassandra Tuffnail sped in under the posts after a deft handover from Tanya Kalounivale. Inman converted to bring the scoreline to 55-19.

Just four minutes later, Westcombe Evans brought up her hattrick after a sensational move which saw a crossfield kick from Inman tipped back expertly by Tui into the hands of the onrushing winger. (Watch here!)

McQuade grabbed another, following an expert throw to Gabby Brown leading to the driving maul going over.

Ruby Tui rounded off proceedings with a swan dive finish, having beaten two defenders to run in untouched under the sticks.

The record win takes Maddison’s side to two wins from two games in the JAECOO PWR Next Gen Cup with a trip to Gloucester-Hartpury on the horizon (18th October).

FINAL SCORE: TRAILFINDERS 72-19 HARLEQUINS

Try Scorers

Trailfinders: McQuade (4′, 72′), Cooksey (8′), Down (16′), Tui (29′, 78′), Westcombe Evans (Hattrick, 33′, 58′, 67′), H Jones (49′), Inman (56′), Tuffnail (63′)

Harlequins: Meuller (36′), Okechukwu (40′), Parry (60′)

Conversions made

Trailfinders: Inman (29′, 49′, 56′, 58′, 63′, 78′)

Harlequins: Cromack (40′, 60′)

Conversions missed

Trailfinders: Inman (4′, 8′, 16′, 33′, 67′, 72′)

Harlequins: Cromack (36′)