Chiefs Women 19 Harlequins Women 11
Exeter Chiefs Women 19
Harlequins Women 11
Mark Stevens at Sandy Park
Like the weather overhead, it wasn’t always pretty, but Exeter Chiefs continued the defence of their Allianz Cup crown with victory over Harlequins at Sandy Park.
Susie Appleby’s side certainly had to dig deep to collect their third victory in the competition, but when push came to shove (quite literally) - it was Devonians who prospered with a strong final quarter to the game.
No.8 Maisy Allen gave them a dream start with a converted try inside the first five minutes, but it was not until late on that replacement Clara Nielson bagged a brace to secure the points.
In between, Harlequins - who were resolute opponents throughout - nabbed a first half score through Freya Aucken, before two second half penalties from Ellie Green put them in front for the first time.
It would, however, not be enough for the Londoners, who suffered a similar fate to the male counterparts in heading home without the bounty.
Ahead of kick-off, Appleby made two changes to her starting line-up from that which has won at Gloucester-Hartpury the week previous. Both of them came in the back division, where Halley Derera came in for the injured Charlotte Woodman on the wing; whilst Brooke Bradley got the nod at scrum-half ahead of Flo Robinson.
Harlequins, meanwhile, arrived in the Westcountry looking to pocket their first win of the competition, having come unstuck against Gloucester-Hartpury and Worcester Warriors in the opening two rounds.
That quest, however, did not begin well as the Chiefs stormed out of the blocks. Full-back Merry Doidge set the attacking tone for the hosts with an early burst through the middle. As she tore towards the line at a rate of knots, it took some desperate defence from Aucken to save the day, hauling down her opposite number as she looked set to score.
It was a momentary let-off for the visitors as within five minutes the Chiefs were finally up and running. With a clear edge up front in the set-piece, the hosts used a close-range line-out to pin in the Quins’ pack, before a couple of recycles around the corner saw Allen burrow over for the score, converted by fly-half Liv McGoverne.
Up and running, it was the perfect start for the Chiefs, who continued to press forward in numbers during the opening exchanges. Sadly, their quest for further reward would be hampered by two factors, one of which was some stout Harlequins defending, the other being their inability to hold onto possession in key areas.
Appleby and assistant Steve Salvin were not shy in showing their frustrations, particularly as a plethora of golden opportunities came and went without the scoreboard being troubled.
At the other end, Harlequins finally started to make some impressions of their own and following their first meaningful spell of pressure in the Chiefs 22, they were finally rewarded when Green slotted a routine penalty after the home side were pulled up by referee Alex Thomas for handling on the floor.
Handling errors continued to dog what was proving a scrappy first half of action. However, with time all but up, the visitors struck with their first try. McGoverne failed to find touch with a penalty kick and in an instant great link-up play between Ella Amory and Aucken saw the latter race over for the score.
HALF TIME: EXETER CHIEFS WOMEN 7 HARLEQUINS WOMEN 8
Down at the turn, the Chiefs resumed for the second half looking to get their act back in order after a sluggish conclusion to the first half. Sadly, that plan was hindered inside five minutes when prop Lizzie Hanlon was yellow-carded for preventing Aucken from taking a quick, tap penalty.
Up on the scoreboard and up on personnel, it didn’t take long for Harlequins to make their numerical advantage pay. Green slotting a second penalty from in front of the posts after the Chiefs had looked to run from inside their own 22, only to be penalised for holding on under the shadow of their own posts.
As the Chiefs continued to struggle for a rhythm back into the game, Appleby turned to her bench to try and get some fresh impetus into her play. Hooker Nielson, together with Linde van der Velden, were both summoned from the sidelines to make some kind of impact.
Whatever was said in their briefing on the touchline, it certainly had the desired effect as the experienced forwards brought about a stability to Exeter’s on-field play.
Not only did the Chiefs at last start to hold onto the ball, but their multi-phase threat started to cause issues for their rivals. With Harlequins on the back foot, so penalties started to flow, allowing the home side to position themselves back in enemy territory.
And it was from one of those kicks to the corner that Nielson was able to pounce for her first score. The line-out drill was carried out to the letter - and when push came to shove - it was the hooker, who celebrated her 30th birthday only 24 hours earlier, who was on the back of the drive to touch down.
Back in front, albeit by a point, it was the trigger the Chiefs needed to get their game back on track. Centre Nancy McGillivray was a constant threat with her hard-running through the middle, whilst Katie Buchanan again impressed from the wing.
McGillivray made one particular break through the middle, only to be collared right at the death by a last-gasp tackle. The pressure, though, was mounting and when the Chiefs had another penalty close to the Harlequins line, again they made no mistake as Nielson finished off the hard work of her fellow forwards, aided by the odd back or two.
McGoverne’s excellent conversion ensure the Chiefs were now two scores clear with the clock firmly in their favour.
Harlequins did their best to try and find a quick remedy, but the Chiefs stood firm. Instead, looking to try and claim the all-important bonus point with a succession of late attacking flurries’. In the end, they could not quite find their way over for a fourth score.
Chiefs: M Doidge; K Buchanan, S Langford, N McGillivray, H Derera; L McGoverne, B Bradley (F Robinson 54); A Middlebrooke (P Muzambe 71), C Moloney (C Nielson 60), L Hanlon; P Leitch (capt), N Fryday; E Jefferies (G Grimes 46-59, L Van der Velden 60), E McMahon (N Orchard 80), M Allen. Replacements (not used): G Gower, E Walker.
Tries - Allen, Nielson (2); Conversions - McGoverne (2)
Yellow Card: Hanlon
Harlequins: F Aucken; G Comerford (B Wilcock h/t), I Mayhew, B Blacklock, E Amory (C Edwards 65); E Green, E Swords (L Topley h/t); S Cooper, D Catlin (R Dobson 71), H Duffy (G Clavering 60); K Leat, L Brooks; N Wythe, L Heryet (B Evans 71), E Robinson (capt).
Try - Aucken; Penalties - Green (2)
Referee: A Thomas
Attendance: 1,851