Match report: Exeter Chiefs Women 14-24 Saracens Women

Exeter Chiefs Women were edged out of their last home game of the year by a Saracens side that made more of their opportunities on the day.

Chiefs scored two tries to Saracens' four to see the gap between second and third extend further.

The game started better for the home side though with a penalty in the first five minutes that led to Chiefs’ opening try. The ball was kicked to touch for the lineout but was then spilled in the driving maul. It gave Saracens a scrum on their own five-metre line, possibly not the place they would have wanted a scrum against Chiefs’ dominant pack. Chiefs indeed made it difficult for the visitors, which meant fly-half Zoe Harrison hurried her kick away and centre Alex Tessier was happy to charge the ball down to score. Fellow centre Gabby Cantorna kicked the conversion to make it 7-0.

The score remained unchanged in the first quarter, but it was clear Chiefs were keen to cause trouble at scrum-time. Another scrum penalty was kicked to touch for the lineout and a run from the back from flanker Maisy Allen and prop Hope Rogers looked promising, only for another spill to halt progress.

Another scrum penalty gave them a second chance from the same spot. Allen was destructive again in the loose, but the ball bobbled forward off Rogers. The kick back downfield was collected by full-back Sabrina Poulin to return the kick with Saracens’ centre Sophie Bridger kicking the ball straight into touch.

Saracens wrestled the ball back though following the lineout and found their appetite for attack. As the players gathered on the try-line, hooker May Campbell went over for their first try but the conversion was unsuccessful.

An interception scare on 30 minutes resulted in a knock-on for Saracens to give Chiefs the scrum in their own half. This resulted in another penalty and fly-half Liv McGoverne kicked the ball downfield before she deftly picked up the return kick to progress into Saracens territory. A pass from Tessier gave Francesca Granzotto the chance to run down the wing to get over the 10-metre line. A Tessier kick was almost run in by winger Katie Buchanan, but Saracens smothered it as the ball reached the try-line.

Chiefs had the penalty though so they headed for touch and the lineout. The drive drew in player numbers before seeing a speedy Tessier run onto the ball for try number two. Cantorna made it two out of two to take the score to 14-5.

A massive tackle on No 8 Marlie Packer courtesy of prop Amy Rule and hooker Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald saw everyone take a deep intake of breath. Packer and Saracens were soon back on their feet though for the lineout. The ensuing drive was patient with flanker Julia Omokhaule the scorer this time. No conversion so the score stood at 14-10 at half-time.

Half-time: 14-10

A fluffed lineout from Chiefs put the home team under pressure early in the second half. Saracens held onto the ball for flanker Georgia Evans to burst through the gap to offload to lock Louise McMillan to score, this time Harrison got the conversion to allow Saracens to take the lead for the first time at 14-17.

It was Chiefs who found the next gap with Tessier kicking ahead for Poulin to chase down but without success. When Chiefs regained possession they sent the ball towards the East Stand as the home side trying to find a way through the defensive line, with Flo Robinson trying to take on a brace of Saracens forwards, but the ball was knocked on to give the north Londoners possession.

Chiefs brought on Emily Tuttosi and DaLeaka Menin for their next lineout but a few nervous decisions in the heat of the battle saw the ball end up back in their own 22. When Saracens won a penalty in this favourable position on the field, their pick-and-go game saw them score through prop Donna Rose.

Chiefs began to up the tempo to ruffle a few Saracens’ feathers with penalties being fired to touch wasted through lost possession or throws that went awry. It looked like they may be successful on the third time of asking when Dorothy Wall collected the ball at the lineout and led the drive until the ball was released to Buchanan, but she was forced back.

It did not seem to matter what they tried, Chiefs were being shut down by Saracens but also putting unnecessary pressure on themselves. There was a late bright spark being Allen’s run through the middle, but without support, it was not going to make a huge amount of difference.

When it came to second playing third, it appeared second had the edge, leaving Saracens to delight in a rare win at Sandy Park.

Full-time: 14-24

Exeter Chiefs Women: S Poulin; K Buchanan, A Tessier, G Cantorna (N Brennan 74), F Granzotto (M Elworthy 63); L McGoverne, F Robinson (vc) (L Nye 77); H Rogers (D Swann 57), C Moloney-MacDonald (E Tuttosi 50), A Rule (D Menin 50), L van der Velden, A Duguid (G Nigrelli 70), D Wall (Z Dare 77), E Robinson (c), M Allen (vc), E Robinson (c)

Tries: Tessier (2)

Cons: Cantorna (2)

Saracens Women: J-J Linkins (T Sellors 75);A Corrigan, S Gregson, S Bridger (E Hardy 53), L Sharp (P Farries 75); Z Harrison (cc), O Apps, K Clifford (L Crake 11), M Campbell (cc) (B Field 68), D Rose (Tremelling 63), R Galligan, L McMillan (J Verghese 63), G Evans, J Omokhuale, M Packer (G Senft 68)

Tries: Campbell, Omokhuale, McMillan, Rose

Cons: Harrison (2)

Referee: Jamie Parr

Attendance: 1,364