Match Round-Up: Harlequins Women vs Trailfinders Women
HARLEQUINS WOMEN VS TRAILFINDERS WOMEN
A late Abi Burton try secures victory for Trailfinders over West London rivals Harlequins.
Tries from Tanya Kalounivale, Brooke Bradley and Abi Burton, as well as three conversions from Niamh Gallagher secured Trailfinders a hard fought victory away from home, the perfect way to celebrate Ella Amory’s 50th appearance for the club.
Tonight’s victory elevates Trailfinders from sixth to fourth in the PWR table, leapfrogging Harlequins who occupied fourth place prior to this match.
Harlequins kicked off to Trailfinders at Twickenham Stoop and despite losing Black Ferns Alana Borland and Georgia Ponsonby to injury in the opening five minutes, Trailfinders struck first. After gaining field position with a rolling maul after kicking to the corner, Tanya Kalounivale powered through under the posts for the opening score after repeated phases on Harlequins’ line. Fresh from being named in the Ireland Six Nations squad, Niamh Gallagher slotted the conversion from out in front.
The first half was very much ruled by defence, with both sides putting in some enormous tackles, and with ball in hand newly named Red Roses Captain Meg Jones and Carys Cox were incredibly threatening.
Four minutes from half-time Harlequins grabbed their first score, with Connie Powell scoring from a rolling maul, but Claudia Peña couldn’t add the extras. When referee Craig Maxwell-Keys blew his whistle for half-time, Trailfinders went back into the changing rooms with a hard fought, but slender two point lead.
Half-time Harlequins Women 5-7 Trailfinders Women
Harlequins struck first after the break through Nicole Wythe, and Peña kicked the resulting conversion to take the lead.
Trailfinders stormed into Harlequins’ 22, and after repeated infringements from the home side, Brooke Bradley sniped through to level the scores. From the right touchline Niamh Gallagher nailed the conversion to regain the lead for Trailfinders.
Harlequins found space on the right flank and Beth Wilcock ran in a try, although Ella Cromack missed the conversion from out on the right, giving Harlequins a 17-12 lead in the final 10 minutes.
Trailfinders refused to back down and with just minutes to go Abi Burton burrowed over for a try from the back of a ruck, and Niamh Gallagher sealed her 100% success rate from the tee as the conversion bounced in from the left upright.
With the clock in the red Trailfinders booted the ball into the stands, taking home the bragging rights for this West London rivalry.
Full-time Harlequins Women 17-21 Trailfinders Women
Harlequins Women: 17
Tries – Connie Powell 36, Nicole Wythe 46, Beth Wilcock 73
Conversions – Claudia Pena 47
Yellow Cards – Nicole Wythe 57
Trailfinders Women: 21
Tries – Tanya Kalounivale 8, Brooke Bradley 57, Abi Burton 77
Conversions – Niamh Gallagher 9 57 78