Chiefs women on the march

It was a proper winter’s day at Sandy Park with chilly conditions only slightly heated by the much-missed-of-late sun when Exeter Chiefs women took on the Ealing Trailfinders.

Chiefs helped keep the home supporters warm with a bright opening when, after just three minutes, prop Hope Rogers got over for a try following a break from scrum-half Brooke Bradley from halfway.

Fly-half Alex Tessier was in support with captain Poppy Leitch right behind her. Winger Katie Buchanan tried to wiggle over but Rogers was on hand to find the final inches.

In the second half replacements began to come on with debutant back-row Taz Bricknell among them. It took her just three minutes to get on the scoreboard after a lineout ball was caught by Nichola Fryday and the maul saw her over the try-line.

Also off the bench, the home fans were treated to a cracking gallop from replacement No 8 Harriet Millar-Mills from a Chiefs scrum to get the home side into the 22.

Into the final 10 minutes, and Trailfinders still had spirit and space. A mazy solo run from Carys Cox resulted in the visitors’ second try to bring the score to 38-14 before former Sandy Park favourite No 8 Kate Zackary slipped down the wing after another impressive break from Riffonneau.

Final score 38-19 and another five points to keep Chiefs in second place in the league.

For the full match report, click here.