Round 12 in Numbers

Round 12 of the PWR was one to watch, with some tight scorelines and dominant performances! Kicking off in the Midlands on Saturday 21st February, Leicester Tigers came off the back of a bye week to host Trailfinders Women at home. It was Trailfinders who crossed the line first, with Cassandra Tuffnail’s try, successfully converted by Niamh Gallagher. Tigers responded imminently with two tries and a conversion, putting them 5 points ahead of the London side. Though, Trailfinders didn’t sit back, scoring two more tries and conversions before half-time, marking the dominance that would continue in the second half. The London side went on to score three more tries, earning a 19-40 win by full-time.

Next up was a rather muddy trip up north for Harlequins, where they faced a hungry group of Sale Sharks. Rhona Lloyd scored the first try of the game, racing down the wing in the 13th minute to give her team an early lead. The Sharks tripled their lead in the closing moments of the first half with a penalty goal, leaving Quins trailing behind with only 5 points. The latter half of the game only saw 7 points scored, with a try and conversion from Quins. But it wasn’t enough to stop the Sharks bite, as the game ended 15-12, marking their third win of the season.

Saracens were back at the StoneX stadium for a huge clash against Exeter Chiefs later that evening. Poppy Cleall started the Wolfpack’s howl with a converted try in the 13th minute, which continued throughout the duration of the game. Six tries later, Saracens were well on track for a bonus point win, but it was Chiefs who had the last say, with a try from Hope Rogers giving them their first points. After four minutes of extra-time, the game ended 45-7.

The final game of the weekend came on Sunday 22nd February in Northampton for a battle of Loughborough Lightning and Bristol Bears. The Bears had a fire in their belly after just falling short to Saracens the week before, so Millie David kickstarted that with a try in the 12th minute. Lightning striked back immediately, with two converted tries before half-time, giving them a 9-point lead. Daisy Hibbert-Jones doubled down on this in the first minute back after the break, successfully converted and giving the home side a 16-point lead. But it was then that the Bears started their comeback, with three more tries bringing them ahead and eventually winning the game 21-24!

Trailfinders Women’s Niamh Gallagher led the latest round in carry distance with 165 metres, points scored (15), and defenders beaten (7). Ruahei Demant from Bristol Bears had the most try assists of the round with 3, bringing her joint-second across the whole season.

For the full rundown, head over to the Stats Hub where you’ll find up-to-date player and club statistics and rankings!

Other key performances included:

 

• Emma Orr (Bristol Bears) created 3 initial breaks in the latest round (1st in league) while helping Bristol record 28 defenders beaten (2nd in round).

• Liana Mikaele-Tu'u (Harlequins) made the most attacking ruck entries in the latest round (33) and leads the league in dominant tackle contacts (10).

• Tiana Gordon (Leicester Tigers) secured 3 turnovers in the latest round (1st) and ranks 2nd in the league for total turnovers won this season (12).

• Haineala Lutui (Loughborough Lightning) tops the league for carries this season (166) and led the latest round for dominant carries (11).

 

Team of the Week, as per Oval Insights:

 

• Kelsey Clifford (Saracens)
• Micke Gunter (Leicester Tigers)
• Cassandra Tuffnail (Trailfinders Women)
• Julia Omokhuale (Saracens)
• Jade Konkel (Harlequins)
• Daisy Hibbert-Jones (Loughborough Lightning)
• Marlie Packer (Saracens)
• Poppy Cleall (Saracens)
• Brooke Bradley (Trailfinders Women)
• Ruahei Demant (Bristol Bears)
• Millie David (Bristol Bears)
• Lotte Sharp (Saracens)
• Jemima McCalman (Leicester Tigers)
• Emma Orr (Bristol Bears)
• Niamh Gallagher (Trailfinders Women)

 

To read the Oval Insights Review of Round 12, click here.