Sharks Women 10 Chiefs Women 35
Sale Sharks Women 10
Exeter Chiefs Women 35
James Fowler at Heywood Road
Having ended 2022 on a high, Exeter Chiefs Women kicked-off 2023 on an equally impressive note, securing maximum reward from their Allianz Premier 15s trip to a wet and wild Sale Sharks.
With the weather conditions being as they were, this was always going to be a game of attrition won or lost in the forwards, and so this proved to be the case, with the Chiefs formidable set-piece yet again building the foundations required for victory.
Kate Zackary, Jodie Ounsley and Hope Rogers all crossed in the first half, however Sale hit back through a penalty from Sarah Law and a try just before half time from Vicky Irwin.
The Chiefs came out of the blocks firing in the second half, and they were rewarded with further tries from Merryn Doidge and Rogers to secure the victory.
Returning to action following a two-week break for the festive period, there were no signs of rust as the Chiefs came out of the blocks strongly, and they were rewarded by an early try from Zackary, who was back in her favoured No.8 jersey, as she burst off the back of a five-metre attacking scrum to storm over the line.
Despite an immediate response by Sale through the boot of their Law, it didn’t take the Chiefs long to add their second try of the afternoon, as after concerted pressure on the Sharks line, slick hands set Ounsley free in acres of space on the right-hand side, and the former Sharks star was able to stroll over for the score.
The Chiefs seemed to now have full control of the game, however some at times heroic defence from the hosts managed to keep Exeter at bay. The Sharks resilient defence eventually cracked however, and American international Rogers was able to power her way over the line from less than a metre out to claim her first of the afternoon.
The Sharks were not about the give up the fight however, and patient build up inside the Chiefs 22 was eventually rewarded in the last play of the half, as Irwin beat a couple of defenders before powering over the line, to reduce the deficit for the hosts.
HALF TIME: SALE SHARKS WOMEN 10 EXETER CHIEFS WOMEN 21
The try conceded just before half time didn’t seem to dent the Chiefs confidence, as they came out of the changing rooms much the stronger side. After a powerful driving maul inside the Sale 22, the ball was released by Flo Robinson to Liv McGoverne, who perfectly timed her pass to Doidge as she cut a beautiful angle through the midfield to cross under the posts untouched for what was no doubt the try of the afternoon.
Rogers soon added her second of the afternoon, as she again powered over from close range, something which she seems to be becoming increasingly adept at. McGoverne was again faultless with the boot to give the Chiefs an unassailable 35-10 lead.
With the fifth try now secured, Susie Appleby rang the changes. The game, however, then became increasingly disjointed and scrappy, with the wet ball and heavy pitch making fast-paced rugby extremely difficult to achieve.
The Chiefs discipline also started to wane in the final quarter, which led to the hosts dominating possession and territory, however strong defence from the visitors managed to keep the Sharks at bay, which will no doubt please the coaching staff.
The final whistle came with a sense of frustration for the Chiefs at not having added to their score tally in the final quarter, however there was still immense pride at having begun the year with a bonus point victory over stubborn opponents.
The Chiefs will now look forward to taking on Saracens at Sandy Park next Saturday, in what will no doubt be an almighty tussle between last season’s finalists.
Sale Sharks: L Delany (cc); H Thorpe, V A Irwin, K Howard, H Bawden; S Law (C Watters 60), 9. Mhairi Grieve (C Cookland 60); A Young (S Lewis 73), S Fielding (J Kitlinski 4), C Benson (K Houghton 70); N Howat, M Morrissey (I Antwis 56); V E Irwin, G Perris-Redding (cc, A Orrow 62) A Washington (R McLachlan 62).
Tries – V E Irwin; Conversion – Law; Penalty – Law
Chiefs: M Doidge; J Ounsley (L Cramer 52), N McGillivray, Cantorna, 11. C Macdonald; L McGoverne (R Wilkins 60), F Robinson; H Rogers (S Turani 56), E Tuttosi (C Nielson 56), D Menin (L Hanlon 60); A Fleming (M Leonard 47) N Fryday (capt, P Leitch 64); E Jefferies (G Senft 56), R Johnson, K Zackary.
Tries – Zackary, Ounsley, Rogers (2), Doidge; Conversions – McGoverne (5)
Referee: N Chivers