Match Round-up: Trailfinders Women vs Exeter Chiefs

Trailfinders Women lost 12-24 to Exeter Chiefs in the opening round of the PWR at Trailfinders Sports Club.

It was a cagey opening quarter of an hour for both sides, with possession frequently changing hands and neither being able to get a foothold in the match.

After some dominance upfront, the visitors won themselves a penalty at scrum-time and found themselves deep in the Trailfinders 22. Liv McGoverne scored from close range, despite the best efforts of the Trailfinders defence.

Exeter continued their strong start when they were brought down just short of the line after a dangerous attack. Hope Rodgers muscled her way over and put the away side into a two-score lead.

It didn’t get any easier for Trailfinders when Carys Cox got sent to the sin bin for a slap down in the 28th minute, Gabriella Nigrelli scored just before the yellow card period elapsed and Exeter led by 19 at the break.

Half-time: Trailfinders Women 0-19 Exeter Chiefs

Chiefs picked up in the second half where they left off in the first, securing their bonus point try through Claudia Moloney-MacDonald after an overlap on the left wing.

Kate Zackary got Trailfinders on the scoreboard shortly after, Ella Amory took a quick tap penalty, passed to her captain, and she dived over, much to the delight of the home support.

A powerful rolling maul from Trailfinders allowed Georgia Ponsonby to score on debut and add a second score to the home side’s tally.

Unfortunately, it was too little too late for Trailfinders as they came up short in search of their third try.

Full-time: Trailfinders Women 12-24 Exeter Chiefs

Trailfinders Women –

Tries: Kate Zackary 54, Georgia Ponsonby 69

Conversions: Meg Jones 55

Yellow cards: Carys Cox 28

Exeter Chiefs – 

Tries: Liv McGoverne 14, Hope Rodgers 21, Gabriella Nigrelli 37, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald 51

Conversions: Liv McGoverne 22 38