Exeter Chiefs Women v Sale Sharks Women

Exeter Chiefs Women’s took another draw and bonus-point on the road in a muddy affair against Sale Sharks at the Morson Stadium.

It was four tries apiece and three conversions each too although Sale had the chance to take the win with a couple of penalties, but both were missed to leave the game tied.

The game began well for Sale as a 50:22 for Holly Aitchison gave them an early lineout and drive opportunity. A pass out to centre Katana Howard saw the ball go to ground and it looked like it was over the try-line but the attempt was held up to give Chiefs a goal-line dropout. But Sale ran the ball back for No 8 Sharifa Kasolo to steam through Chiefs' defence to release winger Rhona Lloyd to score her fifth try of the season.

Sale stole a Chiefs lineout to resume possession for full-back Merryn Elworthy to kick away to touch. The Sharks did not throw straight so Chiefs had the put-in at the scrum. The same scenario unfolded minutes later but in Sale’s favour this time. When Chiefs got their next lineout, hooker Emily Tuttosi was dead-on with the throw to flanker Emily Robinson.

Meanwhile, the on-field kicking battle continued as Chiefs tried to work their way up the pitch but the lack of bounce on a heavy pitch was a challenge for both sides. However, an inside-out run from Lloyd broke the kick-game deadlock as she went over for her second try. No conversion this time but Sharks still had a 12-0 lead by the 25th minute.

The good news for Chiefs was that their scrum was still dominant. And even when a scrum penalty did not go to touch, Chiefs still benefited from the lineout close to Sale's 22. A second penalty kicked to touch was more accurate though to set up the drive; some solid recycling in the mud saw prop Amy Rule go over for her first try for Chiefs.

The sun actually came out for the last 10 minutes of the first half, shining on Tessier as she kicked yet another penalty to touch. The drive resulted in a penalty for Chiefs and, this time, they decided to opt for the scrum. The visitors sent the ball from touchline to touchline before tucking it up their dirty white shirts for flanker Maisy Allen to score Chiefs’ second try. Liv McGoverne kicked her second conversion on her 50th appearance for the club to take Chiefs into the lead at 12-14.

Lock Dorothy Wall started the second half as her recovery from an Achilles injury continued but this bright moment was dulled as Chiefs gave away a penalty just outside their own 22. Sale kicked to touch, and their lineout and drive saw prop Gwen Pyrs score to regain a lead of 19-14 after Aitchison made the conversion.

Another penalty to Sale saw Aitchison kick to the same area on the touchline but Chiefs stole the ball only for Sharks to regain possession with a charge-down kick. Replacement No 8 Morwenna Talling powered over to take the spoils and to give Sale a 26-14 lead.

Scrum-half Flo Robinson tried to become a one-woman wrecking machine but a tackle off the ball at the breakdown gave Sale the penalty. Chiefs continued to apply pressure with big hits and runs into Sale’s 22, before a cross-field kick from McGoverne assisted in Chiefs being awarded a scrum on Sale’s 22 to give both sets of players a breather. Chiefs tried to remain patient, but a loose ball lost them possession as they tried to penetrate the red zone.

PWR debutant Maddie Flutey joined the fray at full-back as Chiefs won another penalty at scrum-time. It looked like Chiefs had scored through centre Naomi Brennan but a head-on collision saw the game halted and replacement lock Charlotte Fray shown a yellow card for head contact. Chiefs opted for the scrum for the ensuing penalty and Emily Robinson duly rumbled over the line. McGoverne’s conversion closed the gap to five points.

Sale were still dangerous with 14 women on the pitch and kept pressing for the line. When they were awarded a penalty in the 74th minute, Aitchison opted for the posts. It fell short, so the five-point difference stood.

An outstanding run from lock Linde van der Velden got Chiefs back into Sale’s half. Minutes later, Sale leaked another penalty and Chiefs went for touch again. The forwards wanted this one and they relentlessly recycled the ball for prop Hope Rogers to squirm over to make it 26-26, scoring her 50th try in the process. McGoverne missed the conversion though to miss out on taking the lead.

A late penalty for Sale looked like it would determine the result but Aitchison missed it and the scores stood at 26-all despite last-minute attempts from both sides to secure victory. A try-saving tackle from Flutey on Sale lock Erica Jarrell-Searcy among the action that could have swayed the result. A draw seemed a fitting conclusion in the end.