A cup quarter final that clashed with the 6 Nations was going to provide a challenge for the home team. Saracens lost their own line out at the 1st attempt after Chiefs had thrown the ball into touch. They won the next attempt. There were promising signs early on, but Tori Sellars couldn’t quite find Saracens hands.
But, Saracens 1st try came moments later as they rolled the maul over the line at some speed, Bryony Cleall was in possession of the ball. The kick dropped just short.
Chiefs went for the posts from their 2nd penalty in quick succession. The kick was in front of the posts, but hit them. Chiefs came up with the ball but the move ended with a goal line drop out. Chiefs knocked on as they attacked and Saracens came away with the ball from the scrum.
May Campbell playing at 6 passed the ball to a Chiefs player as Saracens looked to leave their own half, Chiefs were then awarded a penalty. That attack came to nothing.
Saracens went on the attack, playing some lovely rugby, they were awarded a penalty close to the Chiefs line and up popped Cleall after the ball had gone to the ground. The try was a good one, the kick didn’t make its target.
Chiefs kicked the ball off the end of the pitch from the kick off, so play was pulled back for a scrum on the halfway line. Saracens knocked on but play continued before Chiefs did the same. Saracens were awarded a penalty in the scrum and went quickly, a 2nd penalty saw them kick to touch.
Chiefs were awarded the scrum feed as Saracens failed to move the maul from the line out this time. Chiefs were then awarded a penalty as they moved the ball. The ball was thrown over the line out and Saracens came up with the it.
A couple of line outs later Saracens were awarded a penalty and went for another line out. The ball was knocked on by Saracens.
Saracens were awarded a penalty and Chiefs Clara Neilson was awarded a card. This time Saracens went short and were awarded a penalty try. Chiefs Linder van der Velden was shown yellow, taking them down to 13 for 9/10 minutes. The score on 31 minutes was Saracens 17 Chiefs 0
Chiefs didn’t help themselves with a poor line out and things got worse for them when a 3rd yellow card was brandished, we think for a no arms chop tackle. That saw Demi Swann Leave the field.
Unsurprisingly Saracens went for a scrum from the penalty, Chiefs had to swap 2 players for the missing front row players. Saracens chose to drive and scored through no 7??? Amelia McDougall added the extras.
Akina Gindwe was next on the score sheet for Saracens, she’d been playing really well, and defending with 12 was always going to be a hard ask for Chiefs. The conversion was good and Saracens moved to 31, Chiefs were yet to trouble the scoreboard.
Into the second half and Chiefs were back to 14 were awarded an early penalty but the kick didn’t make it out of their half. Saracens were awarded the scrum put in after the line out. They moved the ball quickly and it made its way to Lotte Clapp out on the wing, she kicked the ball ahead and was first to get to it, try awarded! The kick fell just short.
Back to 15 Chiefs had a scrum put in after Campbell dropped the ball. They took a tap penalty and got the try through Hope Rogers. The kick was good.
May Campbell was shown a yellow card as Chiefs went on a great attacking spree. They scored as they rolled the maul over the line. With Neilson In possession of the ball. The kick missed its mark.
Saracens took a gamble on a 2nd scrum and gave away a penalty. That resulted in another try for Chiefs as Rogers went over again, that took the score to Saracens 36 Chiefs 17.
Saracens Leanne Infante was shown a yellow card as she collided with a Chiefs player, Ellie Sinclair, who rightly went off for an HIA. Saracens were down to 13 for a few minutes. Saracens won a penalty in the scrum as they kept the ball in. The ball went over the top and into you hands of a Chiefs player at the line out.
An exchange of kicks saw Saracens gain good territory then a penalty close to the Chiefs line. The line out throw wasn’t straight. Saracens were back to 15 with 10 minutes of the game remaining. Chiefs scored after a couple of penalties, they rolled the maul over the line for Neilson to score her second. That took Chiefs to 22.
Saracens had a line out in the Chiefs half, with Campbell reverting to Hooker. The throw wasn’t straight.
Saracens 7 was shown yellow with 2 minutes remaining. Chiefs kicked the ball straight off and Saracens took the scrum option. Chiefs were given a penalty, although it looked like the Chiefs 1 had pulled the scrum down.
Saracens Cleall was shown a yellow card in the 82nd minute. Chiefs scored as they went over from the line out witrh Swann getting the try. The kick was good but the game was over.
The final score was Saracens 36 Exeter Chiefs 29. The final venue of to be confirmed but will be played an April 28th.
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