Round 13 in Numbers

PWR Round 13 saw thrilling battles, 255 points scored, and a shift of the table… It all started off on Friday 6th March at Kingsholm, where Gloucester Hartpury took on Exeter Chiefs. The game started evenly, with a 3rd and 8th minute try from either team, before Gloucester began their rampage. With a brace from Maud Muir, alongside 2 additional tries, the reigning champions mostly held the Chiefs back throughout. Though, Chiefs had the last say of the game with a try from Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, earning her side a bonus point from the 38-20 loss.

In one of the most anticipated games of the season, Harlequins hosted Saracens on Saturday 7th March, kicking off the weekend with a London derby! It didn’t take long for the action to start, with May Campbell’s try in the 6th minute, converted by Zoe Harrison. Quins responded with an 11th minute try from captain, Jade Konkel, setting their intentions straight. A back and forth first half ended in Saracens’ favour, with Jess Breach’s sprint across the full length of the pitch earning them another try and a 16-point lead. The second half had more action, with Quins scoring 4 tries, and Saracens scoring 2 tries and a penalty goal, extending their lead to 26-43 at full-time.

Next up, Leicester Tigers had a trip to the west country to face Bristol Bears. The Tigers hoped to achieve their first win of the season, but Bears put up a strong defence. Demelza Short broke through in the very first minute, scoring a try that was successfully converted by Meryl Smith, to give Bristol their first points of the game. The home side kept on pushing, scoring 6 tries and 5 conversions, just within the first half. The substitutions rolled in during the second half, adding 4 more converted tries to Bristol’s scoresheet, and keeping Leicester out of their 22’. The game ended 68-0 to Bristol Bears.

Last but by no means least, Loughborough Lightning took a trip up north to face old foes, Sale Sharks. The last time the two sides met was in week 2 of the PWR, where it ended 19-12 to Lightning, but Sharks were looking to bite back. Though, this didn’t look hopeful in the first half as a strong Loughborough side scored 2 converted tries and 1 penalty goal, in comparison to one try for Sale. Though, the second half was one to watch as Erica Jarrell-Searcy broke through in the 44th minute to start the Shark’s redemption. This was followed up by 3 more tries from the home side, and only 2 from Lighting, giving the Sharks their third win in a row with a 31-29 score!

Saracens’ May Campbell leads the PWR after scoring 3 tries this weekend, making her total 12 scored this season (1st), she also recorded the most successful tackles (25) in this round. Meryl Smith from Bristol Bears topped the leaderboard in points scored this round (18) and kick success, making 9/10 kicks with a 90% success rate!

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:

• Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury) dominated the latest round with 20 carries (most in round) and 51 post-contact metres (most in round).

• Ella Cromack (Harlequins) led all players in the latest round with 15 kicks in play and 526 kick metres.

• Sam Monaghan (Gloucester-Hartpury) leads the PWR for lineout steals this season (6) while recording 3 turnovers won in the latest round (most in round).

• Ella Lovibond (Bristol Bears) led the league with 131 metres made in the latest round.

 

Team of the Week, as per Oval Insights:

• Niamh O'Dowd (Gloucester Hartpury)
• May Campbell (Saracens)
• Maud Muir (Gloucester Hartpury)
• Fi McIntosh (Harlequins)
• Jade Konkel (Harlequins)
• Demelza Short (Bristol Bears)
• Gabrielle Senft (Saracens)
• Georgie Perris-Redding (Sale Sharks)
• Jenny Hesketh (Bristol Bears)
• Meryl Smith (Bristol Bears)
• Claudia Moloney-MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs)
• Alev Kelter (Loughborough Lightning)
• Alex Tessier (Exeter Chiefs)
• Mia Venner (Gloucester Hartpury)
• Ella Lovibond (Bristol Bears)

 

To read the Oval Insights Review of Round 13, click here.