365 Sporting Days

With a double header on the menu at The Stoop it seemed rude not to stay after the Harlequins v Cardiff Blues game to watch the Women’s Premiership Final between Richmond and Saracens.  I did of course have a vested interest but was looking forward to watching the 2 teams who had been unbeaten all season other than by the other, if that makes sense?  Th result at Allianz Park was Saracens 3 Richmond 17 and on the return fixture Richmond 5 Saracens 20.

A little background into the Women’s Premiership, it perhaps doesn’t look as you might expect.  The current clubs in the league are Aylesford Bulls, Bristol Ladies, Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, Lichfield Ladies, Richmond Women, Saracens Women, Wasps ladies and Worcester Ladies.  An extract from their website explains a little more.

Run by the RFU, it is the most competitive league in the world and boasts players from many countries, including New Zealand, Canada, USA and France as well as all the Home Nations. Established in 1990 as a league covering all of the UK, it wasn’t until the formation of the RFUW in 1994 that the league was restricted to English clubs. Recent years have been dominated by the 3 London teams of Richmond, Saracens and Wasps, a notable exception coming in the 2012/13 season when Worcester won the title.

Rather than write a form of match report I’m going to send you to the website again.  In common with the England v Australia Women’s cricket I saw in the summer I’d say that in many ways this game was more technically pure in parts than the men’s games I watch week in week out.

The Women’s Premiership Final

Richmond dominated the game as Saracens made a number of errors to lose possession throughout the game.  Both teams played some good rugby but Richmond were rewarded for their endeavours with the result finishing on Richmond 28 Saracens 17.

Both teams gave their all on the night, Richmond started as they meant to carry on and lifted the trophy as a result, they deserve huge congratulations!

I’d interviewed England’s Rachael Burford on the Friday before the game, we had so much to talk about that one article won’t be enough.  Rachael’s life as a now professional rugby player, has been pretty remarkable.  Watch this space for the first piece.