Mackinder relishing Sarries showdown
By Harry Scott-Munro
29/1/21
Exeter Chiefs Women’s winger Garnet Mackinder believes her side have “nothing to lose” as they come up against high-flying Saracens Women in the Allianz Premier 15s tomorrow at Sandy Park (1:30pm).
With the league having been halted for the past two weeks in a bid to help stop the spread of Covid-19 across the country, the Chiefs return to action against the unbeaten Londoners in this re-arranged Round Seven encounter.
Mackinder, though, insists the Chiefs have used the enforced break to not only recharge their batteries, but ready themselves for what is arguably their toughest test of the season so far.
“We’ve taken the opportunity to train really hard,” said Mackinder, who along with centre Lauren Cattell are both former Saracens players. “We weren’t allowed to do much contact, so we’ve changed it up and hopefully improved some of our skills that we’ve had time to work on. I’m really looking forward to taking that into Sarries this weekend.”
Mackinder has been in good try-scoring form for the Chiefs this season and is the club’s joint top try-scorer alongside Linde van der Velden and Kate Zackary. Her exquisite finish against Bristol Bears last time out was ultimately the difference between the two sides, although she is disappointed that the temporary suspension of the league denied her side the opportunity to continue building momentum.
“It is a shame as I felt we were building momentum and obviously before, when we were supposed to play Sarries, we were on a bit of a winning streak as well. But they’re going to be in exactly the same position. They’ve not had a game since before Christmas, so we’re both going to be in the same position.”
Mackinder added: “I was at Sarries for four plus seasons and had some very happy memories there. But I’m on the other side now and really excited to play against old friends. The thing that’s great about rugby is that you give it your all on the pitch and then afterwards, you’re all mates again so, really excited to see the girls but also put in a good performance.”
Despite looking forward to being reacquainted with old friends, Mackinder is under no illusion of the challenge that awaits her side at Sandy Park.
“There’s a reason they’re the reigning champions, they’ve got a lot of talented players but so do we. We’ve had some good results against Wasps and Loughborough, who are very good top four sides, so hopefully we can do the same against them.”
Tomorrow’s match also sees potential debuts for a number of new faces for the Chiefs, with Joanna Kitlinski, Rachel Johnson, Meg Davies and Laura Sheehan all waiting in the wings to make their Chiefs bows. They are all “really fitting in” according to Mackinder, emphasising her excitement at “seeing them get out on the pitch this weekend.”
Touching on the positivity within camp, Mackinder added that she has “absolutely loved” the opportunity to play for the Chiefs.
“It’s an awesome set-up and I can’t wait to see how the second half (of the season) goes. Hopefully, we can hold onto that fifth spot.”