Trailfinders Women were defeated 33-20 by Saracens despite a positive first-half performance at the StoneX on Saturday (21 September 2024).
Tries from Rosie Inman, Abi Burton and Jess Cooksey were not enough to secure the victory against Trailfinders’ London rivals.
The loss marks the end of the PWR Up Series, leading into the start of PWR, again away at Saracens on October 5th.
Trailfinders started the game by far the brighter side, looking pumped up for the physicality they expected Saracens to bring.
However, that physicality was not forthcoming early on and Trailfinders scored first from the boot of Emma Taylor, who knocked a penalty over from short range after the hosts were pinged at the breakdown.
The Canadian’s penalty seemingly kicked Sarries into gear who went up the other end in less than 2 minutes when Isla Alejandro went in the corner.
The frantic first ten continued. Trailfinders won the ball back from the kick-off and Ella Amory identified the space on the right, hitting a lovely dabbed cross-field kick into the hands of Vicky Laflin who found Inman on her inside shoulder to score.
Trailfinders’ were then well on top. Saracens were penalised for offside and Emory kicked the visitors 10m from the in-goal and, after the maul was sacked, Burton crashed through the Saracens defences to put Trailfinders two scores up.
The scoring then slowed as no side would be able to keep up the pace that the fixture was being played at in the first 15 minutes.
Fans at The StoneX had to wait until the 35th for any more scoreboard action. Trailfinders gave away consecutive penalties and from a 5m line out May Campbell was dragged over by the Saracens driving maul.
Halftime: Saracens 12-15 Trailfinders
Despite an incredibly positive first-half against the PWR’s most-successful team, Trailfinders struggled at the start of the second term.
Two tries were scored in quick succession for the hosts by Bryony Field and Poppy Cleall, and Trailfinders started to ring the changes looking to spread the experience in pre-season across the squad.
Trailfinders struggled for forward momentum and errors got in the way of many of their attacking efforts.
Then Bryony Cleall sealed the result for the hosts finishing an end-to-end move that took Saracens out of sight.
However, consolation came through Cooksey who dotted down in the corner after Sarah Denholm found her with a lovely floated ball to the right edge.
The result at Saracens marks the end of pre-season with Trailfinders making the trip to The StoneX in round one of the PWR.
Full-Time: Saracens 33-20 Trailfinders
Try Scorers:
Trailfinders: Inman (7), Burton (13), Cooksey (79)
Saracens: Alejandro (4), Campbell (37), Field (44), P.Cleall (52), B.Cleall (73)
Conversions:
Trailfinders: Taylor (8)
Saracens: MacDougall (38) (45), Linkins (53), Williams (73)
Penalties:
Trailfinders: Taylor (2)
