1
Third time's a charm: Where the PWR Final was won and lost
By Matt Merritt
Gloucester-Hartpury ran out 34-19 winners over Saracens to celebrate their third consecutive PWR final win. While the first half was a close affair that saw Saracens return to their dressing room ahead by four points, a relentless second half effort from Sean Lynn’s cherry and whites saw them handed the trophy once again.
We break down where the game was won and lost.
Front row
Honours were even at scrum time, with both teams holding their own. May Campbell’s lineout throws gave Saracens the edge in the set piece and plenty of opportunities to deploy their rolling maul, including one effort that lead to a penalty try in the first half.
However, Maud Muir and Neve Jones were both among the scorers for Gloucester-Hartpury and Muir in particular excelled, making crucial metres post-contact and a sizzling clean break for an important score in the second half, earning herself a well deserved player of the match award.
Advantage – Gloucester-Hartpury
Locks
Both teams’ engine rooms quietly and competently went about their work, in the midst of everything defensively. Rosie Galligan provided Saracens with some extra menace at the line out, consistently pressuring the Gloucester jumpers. In the cherry and white second row Zoe Aldcroft was her usual classy self, with a number of interceptions, hard hits and some effective running lines, particularly late in the first half.
Advantage – Gloucester-Hartpury
Back row
Two very different approaches from the two teams here. Saracens deployed their back row like a battering ram. Poppy Cleall and Marlie Packer relentlessly carrying into bodies while Gabrielle Senft cleared up any loose balls.
Gloucester-Hartpury’s loose forwards were deployed much more surgically. Kate Williams, Bethan Lewis and especially Alex Matthews were ruthlessly efficient in defence and all popped up in attack too, with Williams opening the scoring and Matthews having a try disallowed.
Where Saracens seemed to slow down as the game went on, Gloucester-Hartpury's back row found new reserves of energy to keep pushing forward.
Advantage – Gloucester-Hartpury
Half backs
It’s telling that Gloucester’s worst 10 minutes of play coincided with Natasha Hunt’s yellow card. Hunt has dominated the last three finals with her eye for a break and her relentless ability to rally her teammates.
Scrum-half Ella Wyrwas had a quiet game and Zoe Harrison kept Saracens ticking over without ever really providing any edge, making a few mistakes from the boot. Lleucu George was her usual energetic self for the victors, popping up with some key kicks to find space and territory for her backs to exploit.
Advantage – Gloucester-Hartpury
Centres
Tatyana Heard is always a ferocious competitor and once again took no prisoners in the tackle, we did see her give a wayward pass when Gloucester were trying to find points in the last play of the first half, which allowed Saracens to go into the break ahead.
Sophie Bridger and Emma Hardy combined for a defensively sound midfield for Saracens but were stifled by their opposition in attack.
Advantage – Even
Wingers
It wasn’t a vintage game for the wingers, but Lotte Sharp scored a solid try for Saracens and Alysha Corrigan was a constant menace with ball in hand using her pace to frighten defenders.
Mia Venner was on excellent form for Gloucester, making a deceiving amount of post-contact metres for her small frame and cooly side stepped Jess Breach to score a try in the corner. Pip Hendy on the other wing had a comparatively quiet game.
Advantage – Saracens
Full Back
Jess Breach scored a lovely try for Saracens early on but was found wanting with her decision making as the last line of defence. She almost made a costly mistake by attempting to keep a Gloucester-Hartpury kick infield which led to a try, but this was later disallowed.
Emma Sing might have had a mediocre day in terms of her kicking from the tee, but she was everywhere for her team and very solid under high ball. She scored a try, tackled hard and made breaks time and time again.
Advantage – Gloucester-Hartpury
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Fabien Galthie's emphatic World Cup statement after Six Nations win
3
Four England talking points after their Six Nations rout of Wales
4
What Steve Borthwick told Matt Sherratt following Wales debacle
5
Latest Comments
Bring Back Ex Lover, Lost Love Spell Caster, Voodoo love spell in UK, Belfast, Lord Howe Island, Victoria, Sydney, Brisbane, Botswana , Alabama Are you looking for the best help? Have you been searching all over to find a professional and real African traditional herbalist/spell caster? If your answer to these questions is “YES”, then you have come to the right place! We are determined to offer exactly what you’re seeking: Fast and everlasting results! From love spells to money spells, we provide the most authentic spells you’ve ever encountered. I am an Expert Spell Caster, I have learned all my works from my ancestors and forefathers who were also into these religious areas. With spiritual help, ancestral powers and spiritual guidance we can cure an individual and carry beneficial efforts in his or her lifestyle. It is also possible to eliminate any kind of adverse power and to cure.Also if you have any kind of real query in your thoughts, you can always email me with all your concerns or issues and I will be directing you in the best way I can. https://www.specialspellz.com EX Back Spell This spell is for those of you that have lost your lover and can’t seem to find yourself moving on with life without them. My Ex Back Spell will return that person to you. My EX Back spell is my most popular spell and has helped many people win back the heart of their lover. Soul Mate Spell Are you tired of spending your life without love; every date that you go on you never seem to have that magical connection with any of them? You see other couples having a good time together but all you have to look forward to is the microwave meal waiting for you in the freezer. Everyone has a soul mate out there for them and I would strongly encourage you with my Soul Mate Spell so that the two of you can cross paths sooner. My Soul Mate Spell has opened a new life to many and it can do the same for you. Breakup and Come Back To Me Spell Have you lost your lover to another person and they are happy in the arms of another person but you still love them and want them back then you need to break up and come back to me spell. This spell is broken down into two spell castings, one being I have to vanish the new lover in your special person’s life and the second being I will have to cast a spell of guidance over them so they find their way back to your loving heart. Marriage Spell Are you waiting for your soul Mate to ask for your hand in marriage but they don’t seem to be seeing all the signs you are showing them. You just want them to see that there is a future with you in the long term. My Marriage spell will make them dream of a married life with you, this spell will give your lover the energy boost it needs to ask for your hand in marriage; just don’t forget to invite me as you see the results of this spell manifesting. All my spells are genuinely proven .No spell has ever failed to bring about the desired effects. Best spells ever from the best experienced spell caster. We help where others have failed. It's your chance to regain your happiness only through Mama Kenzo's Powerful and fast Spells. Check from my list below and point to your problem. However, even if your problem does not fall in the category below, don’t hesitate to email it to us, we shall venture into it and our experience will of course cut open your problem and solve it. • Relationship problem solution/husband wife problem solution/get back lost lover • Work related problems/get promoted at your work/win work hearing • Win bonds/Tenders/contracts/loans within 12 hours • Criminal matters/legal matters/court cases/divorce cases • Lottery wins/ lotto/horses/soccer big wins/ all gambling activates • Body cleansing/property cleansing/ business cleansing. • Business promotion/sales promotion/ customer attraction. • Unfinished jobs by other doctors/ Delayed jobs/ failed jobs. • Magic ring/ magic wallet/ magic stick for wealth and marriage. • Spells for getting married to the lover of your life. • Spells for love, victory and sympathy. • Fix broken marriage, relationships and finding a missing person. • Spells for getting job/employment/higher pay/job protection. • Spells for loan repayment/debts and financial problems. • Expert in destroying effects of black magic/evil witchcraft. • Getting rid of the effects of evil eyes/ evil spirits. • Fertility medicines/ impregnation of a woman/birth medicine. • Spells for release of a captive/prisoner in 12 hours. • Spells for fulfillment of any need within. Contact Prof Mama Kenzo +27734863310 VISIT: https://www.specialspellz.com EMAIL: Profmamakenzo10@gmail.com
Go to commentsMy trademark JD!
Go to comments