Trailfinders 24-22 Sale Sharks: Hosts hold off fightback to edge to hard-fought Allianz Premiership Women's Rugby win
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Published 22/12/2023 at 21:35 GMT
There was little between Trailfinders and Sale Sharks on Friday evening as the weekend's Allianz Premiership Women's Rugby action got underway. The home side eventually triumphed 24-22, with a missed conversion late on to thank for keeping their victory after Sharks repeatedly fought their way back into contention. It was a second win of the season for Trailfinders, who moved up to fifth.
PWR Week 5 Highlights: Gloucester edge past Exeter, Saracens thrash Leicester to stay perfect
Video credit: TNT Sports
Trailfinders Women earned their second win of the Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby season by edging out Sale Sharks with a 24-22 victory on Friday night.
Both sides came into the game with just a solitary victory on the board so far in 2023-24 and desperate to start climbing the standings in a first meeting between the teams.
It was the home side who made the faster start, flying out of the blocks as Kate Zackary crashed over from close range, before a penalty try gave the Trailfinders a 12-0 lead with 11 minutes on the clock.
Georgie Perris-Redding got Sharks off the mark with a powerful run before the end of the opening quarter, but a superb score from Abby Dow five minutes before the break swung the momentum back in the hosts’ favour.
The wing beat her opposite number and ran 85 metres up the pitch in a wonderful individual effort as Trailfinders went in 17-7 up, but Sale again bit back with a pick-and-go effort reducing the deficit to five points at half-time.
The away side drew level through Niamh Swailes 10 minutes into the second half from a five-metre line-out, but could not convert the try to go in front, leaving the score locked at 17-17.
Trailfinders pushed ahead once again with eight minutes left on the clock, as Julia Schell finished a break down the right wing to go under the sticks, Ellie Green adding the conversion.
But with three minutes remaining, Sale’s power proved a huge weapon again as they rolled a maul over the line, only for the crucial conversion to be missed as Trailfinders held on for a two-point win.
The result lifts Trailfinders above Loughborough Lightning in the table into fifth place, ahead of the latter's clash with Exeter Chiefs on Saturday.
TNT Sports will show live coverage as table-topping Saracens host Bristol Bears on Saturday at 12:30.
On Saturday, December 30, TNT Sports will show champions Gloucester-Hartpury's trip to Harlequins, with a 14:30 kick-off.
HOW TO WATCH SARACENS WOMEN V BRISTOL BEARS WOMEN LIVE ON TNT SPORTS AND DISCOVERY+
The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.
Coverage of Saracens Womens v Bristol Bears Women starts at 12.15 UK time on TNT Sports 2, with kick-off at 12:30.
You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
ALLIANZ PREMIERSHIP WOMEN'S RUGBY MATCHES COMING UP ON TNT SPORTS IN 2023-24
- Saturday, December 23: Saracens v Bristol Bears - 12:30
- Saturday, December 30: Harlequins v Gloucester-Hartpury - 14:30
- Sunday, January 7: Exeter Chiefs v Trailfinders Women - 12:30
- Saturday, January 13: Leicester Tigers v Bristol Bears - 13:00
- Saturday, January 20: Loughborough Lightning v Trailfinders Women - 14:00
- Sunday, February 4: Harlequins v Sale Sharks - 15:00
- Saturday, February 10: Saracens v Harlequins - 12:30
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