This was a second meeting between these 2 teams this season. They met in the cup in the first game of the season at Stonex. Trailfinders struck first after coming away from the first scrum, the ball went out to Vickie Laflin on the wing she scored with some ease. Emma Taylor added the extras.
Saracens were awarded a penalty and went for the corner. Playing with a penalty in their pocket, the maul rolled and May Campbell playing at 7, picked the ball up and leapt over the line to score. Amelia MacDougall added the extras.
Saracens clearing ball was short, but they won the ball at the line out. Saracens were awarded another penalty close to the Trailfinders line as they attacked.
They went ahead through the forwards before getting the ball out to the wing. Where Chantelle Miell flew over the line to score. The kick fell short after a good charge down attempt by Trailfinders.
Trailfinders felt they’d scored after they’d attacked after a penalty for hands on the floor, but they were held up. They received another penalty but missed touch. But the ball was won back and they scored out on the wing again, playing with an overlap it was an easy run in for Laflin for her 2nd try. The kick went to the right of the posts.
Saracens broke through and were awarded another penalty after taking the ball from a Trailfinders line out. They won the ball from their own line out but didn’t move it in time and Trailfinders were awarded the scrum put in. The ref changed his mind as Saracens moved the scrum round, first indicating a Saracens penalty then a reset. The ball emerged this time but Laflin was forced into touch.
The teams exchanged a couple of penalties with a particularly good kick to touch from Trailfinders Ella Amory.
Saracens were awarded a penalty in the scrum after a Trailfinders dropped ball. Saracens went over the top of the line out to Poppy Cleall, a couple of forays by the forwards saw Akina Godwe score. The kick was good taking the score to Saracens 17 Trailfinders 12. The conversion was good.
Poppy Cleall moved very slowly after being involved in a ruck, it wasn’t great that a Trailfinders player flopped on her as she was in that ruck. Hopefully that’s cited, it was regrettable that the Assistant on the line missed the flop. Poppy went off for an HIA and was replaced by Bryony Cleall.
The score was Saracens 19 Trailfinders 12 at Half Time.
Poppy C returned after half time. I’m not convinced that was wise.
Trailfinders were awarded a penalty for Saracens holding onto the ball after a great tackle on Amelia MacDougall. Saracens lost Alina Godwe for a blood issue and had to play on with 14 before there was a break in play, Saracens weathered the Trailfinders attack.
Trailfinders were awarded a penalty, on this occasion I’m not quite sure what for. It was a way out but in front of the posts and Emma Taylor kicked the points easily. I don’t recall Emma kicking when she was at Saracens but she’s certainly very good at that aspect alongside her 2nd Row duties.
Saracens came away with the ball from a Trailfinders scrum, we saw some joined up play from the backs before the forwards did their thing. Poppy Cleall getting the ball down to score. The kick was good, taking the score to Saracens 26 Trailfinders 15.
Poppy Cleall was lucky not to kick a Trailfinders player in the face as she tried to back heel the ball after going over the player on the floor, that was missed by the officials too, it was reckless. But Trailfinders had a penalty. Saracens held the attacking maul up. Then won a penalty in the scrum close to their own line. MacDougall kicked to the halfway line.
Saracens lost the ball and Trailfinders who are definitely a team with speed moved the ball out to the wing, it was passed back to Ellie Boatman who flew like the wind to score. The try was converted closing the gap to 4.
Saracens were awarded a penalty in the Trailfinders 22, MacDougall kicked to touch. Line outs hadn’t been going well for Saracens but this one worked as did the maul, Bryony Field got the ball down. The kick went wide, but Saracens had an 8 point lead.
MacDougall returned the ball from the kick off with a brilliant 50/22 kick. Trailfinders held the maul up, getting the scrum put in. A waste of a great kick.
Grace White made an amazing break up the field but was also amazingly caught by Isla Alejandro: But the ball was got away and it was a 3rd try for Laflin, the kick was good and the gap closed to 2 with 5 minutes in the clock.
Saracens benefited from a Trailfinders pass straight to Leanne Infante, keeping possession the ball went to Sarah McKenna who scored. The conversion was good, which took the losing bonus point away from Trailfinders. The final score was Saracens 38 Trailfinders 29.
Trailfinders played some very good rugby and deserved their try bonus point, this was an entertaining game of rugby that swung both ways.
365 Sporting Days 