365 Sporting Days

The return of the Women’s Premiership saw the return on the international players to the competition. It didn’t see the introduction of common sense sadly as certainly the 2 Saracens games for the weekend clashed. The weather was more suited to cricket than 80 minutes of rugby union.

There was some early pressure from Sale but a loose ball saw Saracens on the charge and Jess Breach scoring a try. A break from Zoe Harrison saw the ball passed out to Breach, who has wheels to burn! . Harrison added the extras.

Sale’s 1st attempt at a line out of wasn’t straight, Saracens took the scrum option. Marlie Packer came away with the ball. Saracens attacked on the wing, losing the ball, Sale then lost it to Breach, who scored her 2nd, with just 7 minutes on the clock. The conversion hit the posts. At this point if felt like the score might resemble a cricket score.

Saracens 1st line out throw from a penalty went long and to Sale hands, it was catching! Sophie Bridger scored Saracens 3rd try as she received the ball from Harrison after a scrum, she ran straight through unhindered to touch the ball down. The conversion was good.

The Sale kick off didn’t go 10, Saracens took the scrum option. They walked Sale back and were rewarded with a penalty. Sale disrupted the line out but Saracens came away with the ball, moving it across the pitch quickly it came back to May Campbell who scored between the posts, the conversion sailed through the posts.

Sale had a couple of attacking forays but to no avail. Their cause was helped when Saracens Emma Taylor was shown a yellow card for a high tackle. They made a great break from their line out but the ball was knocked on, as it made its way to the wing.

Missing a lock Saracens came away with the ball only to hold on, giving Sale the penalty. They went with a quick tap, with Saracens giving away another penalty as they went. The ball was kicked to touch this time.

Sale pushed Saracens over the line for a relatively easy score, with Niamh Swailes In possession of the ball, Sarah Law added the extras with a difficult kick.

Harrison’s kick went straight out giving Sale the scrum on the halfway line. A 50:22 kick saw Sale in a good attacking position again, Saracens cleared but Sale came back and were awarded another penalty, with a lone out gained in much the same spot as the previous, try resulting one. Taylor returned. Saracens kept Sale out but at the cost of another penalty and a warning.

Sale were sure they’d scored after another quick tap, but the ref deemed, held up. Sale went again after a Saracens knock on and successful scrum. Packer coming away with as good a steal as you’ll see.

Saracens finally got the ball into the Sale half after Sale were penalised for holding on. The line out throw went too long again and to Sale hands, Sale were penalised again however. The line out throw was short and good this time, the maul rolled, and with a penalty in their pocket Akina Gondwe Scored. Harrison kicked the conversion through the posts. The half finished with the score on Saracens 33 Sale Sharks 7.

Sale went close to scoring early in the 2nd half after a great break from Sara Tounesi, the Saracens defence held firm and held the final attack up. They went again and scored through determination and strength as Detysha Harper went over the line. The conversion was another good one for Sarah Law.

Sale, Sian Jones was next on the scoreboard as Sale were having the better of the 2nd half in the first 20 minutes, the successful kick by Vicky Irwin took Sale to 21 closing the gap to 12.

Saracens hit back through Donna Rose after a couple of penalties went their way. The forwards battering the line until Rose went over. Harrison added the extras.

Neither line out had functioned well and a long throw by Sale gave Saracens possession, a knock on gave it back to Sale, a penalty back to Saracens. Most of the action was happening in the middle of the pitch.

A successful Saracens line out saw them on the attack. Sydney Gregson broke through, using her strength to get the ball down. Harrison added the extras. Georgia Evans added the cherry on top for Saracens as she charged down a kick to score. Harrison added the extras.

The final score was Saracens 54 Sale Sharks 21. The scoreline was a bit harsh in Sale who had some good spells. I had the pleasure of sitting next to Sarah Hunter during the 2nd half, a very interesting lady, she’s now a part of the Red Roses set up on the coaching side. I asked her what she thought the biggest factor was in the improvement in the women’s game, she didn’t hesitate to put it down to the work being done at grassroots level. I’m sure she’ll be as successful as a coach as she was a player and captain of England rugby.