Chiefs Women 24 Saracens Women 21
Exeter Chiefs Women 24
Saracens Women 21
Mark Stevens at Sandy Park
When it comes to rugby rivalries, it’s fair to say Exeter Chiefs and Saracens have some history.
Over the years, the two have locked horns in some pretty mouth-watering match-ups. There is not a lot of love lost between the two clubs, yet this latest skirmish will certainly go down in the history books as open to remember.
Last season’s top two in the Allianz Premier 15s were brought together yet again - this time at the semi-final stage - in a contest in which seasonal bragging rights were very much up for grabs.
There had been plenty of chat from both camps in the build-up, but in the end it was the Chiefs who maintained their Sandy Park winning streak over the Londoners, courtesy of Eilidh Sinclair’s match-winning score just two minutes from time.
Not since the men collided in a similar vein in 2017 has Sandy Park roared with such approval. On that occasion it was Henry Slade’s wonder kick and Sam Simmonds’ try which sparked scenes of pure elation. This time round, it was Sinclair and her fellow Chiefs who provided the champagne moment.
It was sparkling stuff from Susie Appleby’s side, who had battled back from a 14-0 deficit at the break to secure a second successive final appearance, this time against Gloucester-Hartpury at Kingsholm in a fortnight’s time.
Having ensured home advantage with victory at leaders Gloucester the week previous, the Chiefs headed into this last four tussle buoyed by the return of three key names for the visit of the champions. Into the pack came DeLeaka Menin and Abbie Fleming, while behind there was also a return for Merry Doidge at full-back.
It meant Appleby’s side were virtually at full-strength for their fourth meeting of the season against the experienced Londoners, who themselves were able to parade their large contingent of international stars.
Welcomed onto the field by a raucous Chiefs support, it was the host who set the early tone on a muggy afternoon in the Westcountry. No.8 Rachel Johnson was at the heart of the action, the American forward producing a catalogue of heavyweight carries through the middle.
Sadly, the Chiefs could not turn their territory or possession into points, their attacks brought to a halt by either stout Sarries defence or, more often than note, poor handling from the home side.
Sarries, it seemed, were happy to soak up the early Exeter pressure, holding their rivals at bay before using the hefty boot of Holly Aitchison to clear them back down field and out of danger.
The first quarter came and went in the blink of the eye, but it was the visitors who were starting to come more into the game. Indeed, their mounting pressure finally told when England international Hannah Botterman barrelled her way over from close range to break the deadlock with the game’s opening try, which was converted by Aitchison.
In truth, it was no more than Sarries deserved and they came within a whisker of doubling their tally just moments later when skipper Marlie Packer created the foundations from which Botterman almost found her way over once more. Thankfully, the Chiefs were able to scramble sufficiently on this occasion to hold the loosehead at bay.
The Chiefs did their best to try and work their way back into the contest but, with eight minutes to the break, it was the visitors who struck for a second time, Lottie Clapp’s burst through the middle saw her evade the attentions of both Menin and Nichola Fryday, before she shipped the offload to Sarah McKenna, who did the rest with a simple finish.
As half time approached, a string of penalties allowed the Chiefs to get themselves back into enemy territory, but again they could not make things pay as Sarries held firm to hold the advantage at the break.
HALF TIME: EXETER CHIEFS WOMEN 0 SARACENS WOMEN 14
Two scores adrift, Appleby and assistant Steve Salvin had to use the interval as an opportunity not only to regroup, but at the same time rekindle a fire within the Chiefs bellies.
Well, whatever was said within the confines of the home changing room, it clearly had the desired effect as the Chiefs can storming out of the blocks. Not more than a minute had elapsed when a slick home attack released Katie Buchanan free on the left flank. As the winger tore down field at a rate of knots, instilling chaos within the Saracens defence, somehow the visitors were able to race back and quell the threat somewhat.
The Chiefs, though, were quick to the breakdown and in a blink of an eye, they recycled possession brilliantly to the right where, as so often the case, ‘Captain America’ Kate Zackary was primed and ready. Still with work to do, the centre stepped back inside, before applying the gas to race over.
Fly-half Liv McGoverne converted the score, then added a penalty just moments later to spring further life into the Chiefs charge.
Now with the bit firmly between their teeth and with the natives in full cry, Saracens started to further buckle. As the Chiefs pressed the foot on the accelerator in attack, first Aitchison, then skipper Marlie Packer, both saw yellow for the visitors for deliberate knock-ons.
As the latter slowly trudged to the sidelines, met with a chorus of boos, she could only watch on as her fellow forwards struggled to contain the Chiefs from the resultant penalty. The initial thrust off a line-out was well marshalled, but when the home side came round the corner with a succession of simple, yet effective, pick-and-gos, there was Hope Rogers to add to her seasonal tally for a second converted score.
For the first time in the contest, the Chiefs were now in front on the scoreboard. It had been a valiant effort to haul themselves back into the match, given Saracens had done quite some damage during the first half.
With playing parity soon restored, it was then the turn of Sarries to ramp up the pressure as the game entered into its final quarter. Buoyed by some fresh muscle off the bench, it was now the turn of the visitors to start working their way through the gears.
Initially, it seemed the Chiefs were doing well to stem the ever-mounting flow of pressure. Bodies were littered across the turf as the collisions intensified, particularly around the breakdown area. However, Sarries are not a champion outfit for no reason, and having sucked in a clutch of Exeter defenders, they worked the ball back to Aitchison, whose cross-field kick was lapped up by Jess Breach, who won’t have got an easier score all season.
England ace Aitchison banged over the tricky conversion to ease her side further in front as the match headed into the final ten minutes.
Undeterred, the Chiefs were themselves far from finished and rallied by skipper Poppy Leitch, they came together as one to produce a barnstorming finale to the match.
Throwing caution to the wind, they tore into their counterparts as if their very existence depended on one final score. It was relentless stuff from Appleby’s side who, aided by the award of yet more penalties, sensed their opportunity was coming.
Handed a line-out from which to strike, a loose throw from Cli Moloney was gobbled up by Saracens, who preceded to kick possession long down the field. Again, though, the Chiefs countered to good effect, winning yet another penalty which saw a third yellow issued, this time to Georgia Evans.
Up a player, but with time very much against them, the Chiefs went for one final throw of the dice. Wave upon wave of short-range attacks were mounted, before Flo Robinson and captain Poppy Leitch combined to provide Sinclair the perfect running line to charge in from ten metres out.
The Scottish International could not have got a better ball from which to strike, but she made no mistake, sending not only herself and her team-mates into ‘Dream Land’ - but virtually every supporter who had packed into the West Grandstand.
The stadium erupted, as it should, but the celebrations which greeted the final whistle were even better. Now, they have to regather their emotions once more, as the Cherry & Whites will provide just as tough a task later this month.
Chiefs: M Doidge; K Buchanan, K Zackary, G Cantorna, E Sinclair; L McGoverne, F Robinson; H Rogers, E Tuttosi (C Moloney 69), D Menin (C Jacoby 56); N Fryday (L van der Velden 56), P Leitch (capt); A Fleming (E Jefferies 60), M Allen, R Johnson. Replacements (not used): S Turani, M McDonald, R Wilkins, L Cramer.
Try - Zackary, Rogers, Sinclair; Conversions - McGoverne (3); Penalty - McGoverne
Saracens: J Breach; C Grant, S Gregson, S McKenna, L Clapp (cc); H Aitchison, L Infante (E Wyrwas 69); H Botterman (M Carson 60), M Campbell, K Clifford (A Ellis 60); L McMillan (F McIntosh 55), P Cleall; G Evans, S Kasolo (G Moore 60), M Packer (cc). Replacements (not used): J Rettie, F Williams, I Alejandro
Tries - Botterman, McKenna, Breach; Conversions - Aitchison (3)
Yellow Card: Aitchison, Packer
Referee: C Gayther
Attendance: 4,066