Match report: Saracens Women 21 - 12 Exeter Chiefs Women

Caroline Moore at the StoneX Stadium

Exeter Chiefs Women fought valiantly to maintain their hope of a top-four finish in the PWR, but sadly, they were a couple of scores short despite their best efforts and kept Saracens scoreless in the second half.

An early try for Exeter Chiefs was, at first, a warming start to a cold and wet afternoon at the StoneX Stadium. A scrum to the visitors saw us breach Saracens’ 22 with prop Hope Rogers building up a head of steam. She was ably assisted by No 8 Rachel Johnson followed by a sweet offload from scrum-half Flo Robinson for centre Nancy McGillivray to reach over for the try. Fly-half Liv McGoverne kicked the conversion and Chiefs were 0-7 up after six minutes played.

The lead did not last long as a Sarries lineout saw the ball head into open play with fly-half Zoe Harrison feeding a ball to centre Sophie Bridger for the home side’s first try. Harrison converted and the scores were level.

Chiefs were making great strides down the pitch as the first quarter came to an end with the ball going from touchline to touchline. Winger Katie Buchanan got Chiefs into Saracens’ 22 but got bundled into touch.

Then a Chiefs lineout released Johnson in the loose followed by fit-again prop DaLeaka Menin. Flo Robinson was off and running when Chiefs were awarded a penalty but a knock-on halted play and Sarries got the scrum.

Sarries then got a free kick and went straight out. Chiefs' lineout on the 22 was good but the ball was also knocked on for Sarries to reclaim possession.

Chiefs seemed to be in the driving seat, but the home side took control of the wheel with hooker May Campbell taking a quick try from a lineout.

Winger Claudia MacDonald then brought down flanker Georgina Evans just in front of the try-line and as Sarries sent in bodies to help No 8 Poppy Cleall over the line, MacDonald was shown a yellow card for being off her feet.

Half-time: 21-7

In the second half, a slippery ball was causing issues for both teams. Sarries looked like they would take the bonus-point score when they were camped on Chiefs try-line but their score attempt was held up.

It looked like Chiefs would make the most of their possession when MacDonald streaked through the middle, but a knock-on thwarted any further progress. She looked like she might score again when Chiefs had a scrum just outside Saracens' 22. The ball reached the England winger but she was just short of the try-line.

After a scoreless third quarter, MacDonald finally got her chance. Sabrina Poulin caught a high ball and skipped through defenders to release MacDonald for the try.

Chiefs refused to give up in an attempt to secure that top-four spot. Even as the bodies tired, they kept going and prevented Saracens from getting a losing bonus point. They were in possession in the dying minutes but were at the wrong end of the field.

Full-time: 21-12

Saracens Women: J Breach (S McKenna 50); S Gregson, E Hardy (E Blacklock 68), S Bridger, L Clapp (cc); Z Harrison, E Wyrwas; A Gondwe (C Tremelling 65), M Campbell, K Clifford, R Galligan, L McMillan (G Senft 58), G Evans, M Packer (cc), P Cleall (B Field 65)

Tries: Bridger, Campbell, Cleall

Cons: Harrison (2)

Exeter Chiefs Women: M Doidge (S Poulin 57); C MacDonald, K Kobayashi, N McGillivray, K Buchanan; McGoverne, F Robinson (vc); H Rogers (D Swann 71), E Tuttosi, D Menin (C Jacoby 71), P Leitch (c), L van der Velden (N Orchard 71), M Feaunati, E Robinson (D Wall 51), R Johnson (T Bricknell 77)

Tries: McGillivray, MacDonald

Cons: McGoverne

Yellow card: MacDonald

Referee: A Woodthorpe