Match Round-up: Trailfinders Women v Saracens Women
Trailfinders defeated in top four clash against Saracens
Trailfinders quickly found their flow in the back line after kick-off. The ball was stripped out wide onto the left channel. Francesca McGhie put her foot on the gas, running the ball into the try area for the first score of the game.
Saracens hit back quickly after quick ball from a line out. Physical carries gained them territory until Poppy Cleall threw the ball out wide to Sydney Gregson on the right wing.
Trailfinders continued to apply the pressure on Saracens with quick line speed but the visitors held firm. Saracens found attacking phases but a tackle by Grace White on Jess Breach enabled Trailfinders to pounce on the ball and the penalty was awarded to the women in green.
Trailfinders won the scrum but a loose ball allowed Saracens to intercept and push forward. The visitors were awarded a penalty and Zoe Harrison kicked for the corner. Saracens continued with attacking flow and Marlie Packer forced her way to the try line. Zoe Harrison slotted the conversion.
The visitors continued to apply attacking pressure but Trailfinders secured a line out in their 22. Quick ball down the short side gave Trailfinders territory. Lost ball in Saracens’ half gave Sydney Gregson space to run the ball but Julia Schell tackled her into touch.
A penalty to Saracens gave them another attacking opportunity and Alysha Corrigan scored in the corner for Saracens. Zoe Harrison converted.
Saracens continued to play the ball out wide. Lotte Sharp took her opportunity in the right corner and secured a bonus-point try for the visitors.
Trailfinders continued to front up in defence but Saracens opted for their line out drive game once more setting up May Campbell for a try. Harrison converted.
Half-time: Trailfinders Women 5-31 Saracens Women
A change in the backline for Trailfinders after half-time saw Isla Norman-Bell come off the bench to fly-half and Claire Gallagher into the centres for Carys Cox.
Trailfinders strung beautiful attacking phases together at the opening of the second half but handling errors paused their forward momentum.
Saracens secured a sixth try with another driving maul from the line out with Poppy Cleall as the beneficiary. Harrison converted.
Saracens continued to opt for the kicking game and chased the ball into Trailfinders’ 22. McGhie gathered in the try area and offloaded to Julia Schell who ran the ball out of the 22, clashing with Saracens defenders on the way.
Trailfinders stopped a Saracens driving maul fifty minutes in. Brooke Bradley opted for the boot but it was charged down then quickly regathered by the home side.
Trailfinders found space with McGhie breaking through the Saracens defence. She darted up the field, giving Trailfinders territory in the 22. The ball went out wide to Rachel Malcolm who was taken down.
Saracens continued with their attack, breaking into Trailfinders’ 22. Trailfinders remained strong in defence but the Saracens maul secured them another score by May Campbell. Harrison converted the extras.
The waves of Saracens attack continued and the visitors scored after a series of physical carries. Liz Crake got over the line for an eighth try for Saracens. Harrison slotted the conversion.
The scoreline did not defer Trailfinders from going forwards. Emma Taylor carried through midfield and Trailfinders went wide. The home side secured the penalty.
With Trailfinders losing players too, the home side regrouped with Haidee Head moving into the back line and Maya Montiel into the second row. Saracens equally had to rotate their side after losing forwards due to injury.
The Saracens line out went loose and Taylor gathered then got the ball outside to Trailfinders backs. McGhie ran the ball forward but Saracens were successful in securing a penalty at the breakdown after McGhie was tackled.
But Trailfinders had ball in hand once more and broke into Saracens’ 22 with seven minutes to go. Yet the visitors pushed Trailfinders back and loose ball enabled Saracens to find space. Jess Breach scored down the right side.
Trailfinders continued to fight in the final five minutes, showing their resilience and determination despite the scoreline.
Full-time: Trailfinders Women 5-57 Saracens Women
Player of the Match: Olivia Apps
Trailfinders Women –
Tries: Francesca McGhie 3
Saracens Women –
Tries: Sydney Gregson 7, Marlie Packer 17, Alysha Corrigan 26, Lotte Sharp 32, May Campbell 37 60, Poppy Cleall 45, Liz Crake 65, Jess Breach 76
Conversions: Zoe Harrison 17 26 38 45 61 66
