Saracens ………….. 21pts
Tries: Bridger 12, Campbell 31, P Cleall 37
Conversions: Harrison 12, 31, 37
Exeter ……………….. 12pts
Tries: McGillivray 8, MacDonald 55
Conversions: McGoverne 55
Saracens booked their place in the play-offs with this gritty win against Exeter Chiefs at the StoneX Stadium.
In tricky conditions, the Londoners managed to come back from an early Exeter score to put the Chiefs out of PWR title contention and seal a spot in the semi-finals.
Match Action
Exeter started on the front foot with an early score. After some dominant carries from the forwards, Nancy McGillivray twisted and turned to dot down for the opening try.
Saracens struck back through Sophie Bridger who forced her way over the whitewash from close range.
Sarries then weathered the storm both on and off the pitch. Exeter were held out by a strong defensive effort from the hosts as the wind and rain swirled across the StoneX.
With a few penalties going the way of the Londoners, it didn’t take long for Saracens to strike. After a crafty lineout move, Marlie Packer broke through unopposed before offloading to May Campbell who raced into the corner.
With the half drawing to a close, Saracens managed to add another. A barn-storming break from Georgia Evans sparked the attack, and it didn’t take long for Poppy Cleall to cross for the third score.
The second half was heavily affected by the difficult conditions, with both teams struggling to string phases together with a wet ball and blistering winds.
Second Half
Saracens did come out the blocks well and nearly managed the bonus point score in the first five minutes.
A chip in behind from Harrison was well gathered by Bridger, but the centre couldn’t regather the bobbling ball to bag her second try. The hosts were then held up over the line moments later after some more impressive carries from the Saracens pack.
Exeter secured the final score of the game. Sparked on the counterattack, Exeter found space out wide before feeding the ball to Claudia MacDonald who raced home.
The missed conversion however would keep the visitors out of losing bonus point range.
Saracens then managed to see the final quarter of the game out, with strong defensive sets and a clever kicking strategy keeping the Chiefs at arms length and booking Sarries spot in the PWR semi-finals.
Saracens captain and player of the match Marlie Packer was pleased with the performance. She said: “The team showed real fight and spirit across the 80 minutes. We knew it would be a test physically and the weather certainly didn’t help.”
Teams
SARACENS: J Breach 5 (S McKenna 50, 6); S Gregson 6, E Hardy 6 (B Blacklock 68, 6), S Bridger 7, L Clapp (cc) 6; Z Harrison 7, E Wyrwas 6; A Gondwe 6 (C Tremelling 65, 6), M Campbell 8, K Clifford 7, R Galligan 7, L McMillan 6 (G Senft 58, 6), G Evans 7, M Packer (cc) 8, P Cleall 7 (B Field 65, 6)
EXETER: M Doidge 5 (S Poulin 57, 5); C MacDonald 6, K Kobayashi 5, N McGillivray 7, K Buchanan 5; McGoverne 6, F Robinson (vc) 6; H Rogers 6 (D Swann 71, 6), E Tuttosi 5, D Menin 6 (C Jacoby 71, 6), P Leitch (c) 6, L van der Velden 6 (N Orchard 71, 6), M Feaunati 7, E Robinson 6 (D Wall 51, 6), R Johnson 6 (T Bricknell 77, 6)
REFEREE: Anthony Woodthorpe
ATTENDANCE: 986
Star Player: Marlie Packer – Saracens
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