Match Report: Trailfinders Women vs Sale Sharks
Trailfinders Women secure a place in The Jaecoo PWR Next Gen Cup Final after historic comeback win against Sale Sharks
Claire Gallagher kicked-off the cup semi-final. Sale Sharks gathered cleanly and quickly broke through the Trailfinders defence. Yet, the women in green quickly regrouped and were awarded a penalty.
Trailfinders continued to attack, making metres in Sale’s half. A few loose balls kept Trailfinders were penetrating into the visitor’s 22 but attacking momentum was with the home side.
The Sharks found turnover ball and attacked in the mid-field. A wall of green stopped Sale from gaining metres with ball in hand. Lizzie Goulden put boot to ball, the bounce finding touch. Trailfinders had a lineout in their 22, gathered cleanly for a kick exit. A chase from the home side and focus on the breakdown saw Trailfinders draw a penalty from Sale.
Trailfinders made good ground but a forward loose ball saw the pressure alleviated from Sale as the clock hit seven minutes.
After a scoreless opening ten minutes, Sale nudged the ball into touch for a fifteen metre lineout. Trailfinders defended from short range. But Sharks hunted for the first score and were fruitful. The conversion was successful.
An infringement from Trailfinders saw Goulden opt for the posts for Sale. But the ball flies to the side of the posts to keep the score to seven points.
Sale Sharks held onto the attacking momentum as their physicality saw them in good stead. Playing with advantage as the clock shifting into the second quarter, Sharifa Kasolo bouldered over for the visitors’ second try. Goulden added the conversion.
Trailfinders found themselves back in attack, determined to get their own points on the board. An off-side penalty for Sale in their 22 saw Gallagher kick to the corner. A clean lineout shifted into a huge driving maul. Trailfinders went over for their first try scored by Teya Ashworth.
The physical contest continued in the centre of the pitch. Trailfinders let their discipline slip, allowing Sale to remain with attacking ball.
The visitors attacked from short range but Trailfinders held them up over the tryline.
Half-time: Trailfinders Women 5-14 Sale Sharks
With work to do in the second half, Trailfinders defended in their own half after the bounce of the ball from the restart was loose for both sides before being gathered by the visitors.
Cassandra Tuffnail made a fantastic break to get Trailfinders front foot ball. But a miscommunication saw Sale capitalised on loose ball with an opportunity to exit from their half.
Trailfinders managed to get turnover ball and attacked in Sale’s half.
Centre field play continued between the two sides with physical carries from both parties.
Bringing the flare and footwork that we had seen from her all afternoon, Grace White stepped defenders to soar into the whitewash for a try to take her side into the lead. Charlotte Brookes added the conversion.
The attacking momentum in full flow, Trailfinders were taking no prisoners as waves of offence unfolded. From short range, Isa Prins got on the scoreboard to increase the score deficit. Brookes added the extras.
With six minutes to go, Trailfinders led with twelve points the difference. Winning a crucial scrum penalty in their half, Trailfinders relieved further pressure from Sale Sharks.
In the dying moments of the game, Sharks had the put in at the scrum. Trailfinders drove hard against the women in white but Sharks got the ball out and shifted left. Trailfinders pushed Sharks back with their effective defensive pressure, forcing a knock-on from the visitors. Ball in hand, Trailfinders hunted for the tryline once more. A wide ball from Gallagher to Isla Apiafi helped to create the initial break. Trailfinders shifted back towards the openside, moving through the short phases.
Trailfinders reaped the rewards with a try. Brookes added the conversion before the referee blew full-time.
Trailfinders Women head into the Final of the JAECOO PWR Next Gen Cup!
Full-time: Trailfinders Women 33-14 Sale Sharks
Player of the Match: Grace White
