A welcome home game for the visit of the Chiefs. Both teams came to the game loaded with their stars. A Saracens knock on gave the first scrum, Chiefs came away with the ball, Saracens then conceded a penalty, then another as Chiefs attacked, their efforts were held up.
Amelia MacDonald Cleared the ball for Saracens, with another knock on in the Chiefs half. A couple of kicks were exchanged before one fell nicely for Saracens, as Jess Breach collected her own kick, Ella Wyrwas took a pass from Poppy Cleall to score the first try of the game, the conversion from Sophie de Goede was good.
Another Saracens line out saw a good attacking position for Chiefs, who were held up resulting in a scrum put in, then penalty for Saracens.
May Campbell scored a beauty after doing a virtual head stand, using all of her strength and determination to go over. The conversion went awry but Saracens had a 12 point lead.
Exeter were next on the scoreboard with a try from Hope Rogers. A forwards effort it kept them in touch. The conversion was good and took the gap to 5.
Chiefs won a penalty in the scrum as the half hour approached, their jumper had to rise salmon like to take the ball. Their attack twas a successful one, and Cliodhna Moloney scored under the posts, the conversion put Chiefs ahead.
Saracens won the ball from the kick off but knocked on as they attacked, with an original Chiefs knock in being deemed over.
Sophie de Goede, who seems to feature in the team of the week overall, most weeks, showed the skills and speed of a winger, with the strength of a forward to score out on the left wing. Her conversion hit the posts.
Chiefs were awarded a penalty as Saracens failed to release the player tackled. Saracens held up their maul from the line out. Chiefs ended up in an attacking position again however. The ball was kicked dead.
The teams went in at half time with the score on Saracens 17 Exeter Chiefs 14.
Chiefs started the half with a cracker, Winger Claudia MacDonald took a lovely pass to run in unhindered, the conversion was successful giving Chiefs a 4 point lead.
Saracens retook the lead with a try for Paige Harries. A great break down the pitch by Sydney Gregson giving Saracens the platform to score. The conversion went wide. But, a 1 point lead for Saracens.
Playing with a penalty in their pocket, MacDonald put in a lovely cross field kick, that was just missed by Lottie Clapp, making her 150th appearance for Saracens. A tap was taken, then another for the next penalty, that however, resulted in a Chiefs penalty.
A good Chiefs attack was foiled by a knock on, the ball going to Saracens hands, Marlie Packer got a pass into Speed machine Jess Breach who was not going to be stopped, a great try for the full back. The kick was close but no points.
Clapp had an amazing run through to be stopped just short, as I was saying the ref must surely show a yellow card for Chiefs penalties he brandished it and Moloney had a 10 minute rest. Chiefs then did well to hold up Saracens maul from the line out.
They didn’t hold up the next maul, and Marlie Packer powered over with ball in hand, the score moved to 32 for Saracens.
Chiefs seemed to be onto a good thing until Leanne Infante intercepted the ball to storm up the pitch, it was impressive to see the referee keep up with her! The kick was good and Saracens moved to 39 with less than 5 minutes remaining.
Another good Chiefs attack came to an end with a knock on, after they’d taken a tap penalty. Saracens won a penalty in the scrum. With less than a minute on the clock Saracens went on the attack from the line out. Chiefs won a penalty, prolonging a freezing afternoon!
Another penalty close to the Saracens lint saw a 3rd awarded and a Chiefs try as the ball was thrown out to 13 ????! The conversion was missed and the whistle blew with a final score of Saracens 39 Exeter Chiefs 26. Poppy Cleall was player of the match.
365 Sporting Days 