Match Round-up: Gloucester-Hartpury v Trailfinders Women

In a hard-fought contest decided by a single point, Trailfinders were edged out 29-28 by league leaders Gloucester-Hartpury at Kingsholm.

Tries from Alana Borland, Vicky Laflin and Niamh Gallagher secured Trailfinders two bonus points and Meg Jones maintained a perfect kicking record on conversions.

Both sides showed strong attacking intent from the outset, with each team testing the opposition’s defensive line.

Trailfinders earned a lineout inside Hartpury’s 22, which was offloaded into the hands of Abi Burton, who broke through Hartpury’s defence. In the phases that followed, Hartpury’s Natasha Hunt was shown a yellow card, giving Trailfinders the advantage. They capitalised quickly, with Borland touching down to open the scoring. Jones slotted the conversion.

A fired-up Hartpury shortly responded. A kick into open space put them on the front foot just outside the Trailfinders’ whitewash. El Perry then powered through a gap and offloaded to Jade Shekells, who crossed to level the score. Emma Sing successfully converted.

With Hunt returning and Hartpury back up to fifteen players, they kicked to touch to gain territory and set up a lineout metres from the Trailfinders’ line. However, a rolling maul ended in a knock-on, allowing Trailfinders to relieve the pressure.

Hartpury continued to push and soon earned another lineout close to the try line. From the rolling maul, an offload found Neve Jones, who spotted a gap and grounded the ball to give the visitors the lead. Lleucu George slotted the conversion.

A kick into touch from Hartpury followed by yet another driving maul down the outside wing proved unstoppable, with Kate Williams touching down, giving Gloucester breathing room coming into half time. The conversion was missed by George.

Half-time: Gloucester Hartpury 19-7 Ealing Trailfinders

The second half opened with Trailfinders building attacking phases and edging towards Gloucester’s try line. Playing under penalty advantage, they continued to press, determined to close the gap, but a clearance kick from Gloucester held them out for the moment.

Gloucester then earned a penalty and kicked to touch, keeping play deep inside Trailfinders’ defensive quarter. They eventually capitalised, with Sarah Beckett powering over for the points. George was unsuccessful with the conversion.

Trailfinders responded quickly, moving the ball sharply along the wing, where Laflin finished the move with a try beside the posts. Jones again slotted the conversion.

Gloucester retained possession and an offload to Beckett allowed her to touch down for her second of the match. The conversion was unsuccessful.

Refusing to let Hartpury pull away, Trailfinders’ numerous offloads along the line found Grace White, who danced through Hartpury’s defence into their 22. Borland then went over the whitewash from short range for her second try, with Jones maintaining her perfect kicking record.

Jones sent a long kick downfield and chased it hard, but it travelled just too far and rolled over the dead-ball line.

In a familiar pattern, Trailfinders moved the ball quickly along the wing, with a one-two to Gallagher who outpaced the defenders to score in the corner. Jones again slotted the conversion, bringing Trailfinders to within a single point of the league leaders.

Full-time: Gloucester Hartpury 29-28 Ealing Trailfinders

Trailfinders Women –

Tries: Alana Borland 11 68, Vicky Laflin 58, Niamh Gallagher 77

Conversions: Meg Jones 11 58 68 77

Gloucester Hartpury –

Tries: Jade Shekells 20, Kelsey Jones 30, Kate Williams 40, Sarah Becket 55 63

Conversions: Emma Sing 20, Lleucu George 30