Saracens seal place in PWR Final with thrilling win over Exeter Chiefs

Saracens set up a date with Trailfinders Women in the PWR Final thanks to a thrilling 40-38 victory over Exeter Chiefs.

The sides traded a dozen tries between them in a thrilling encounter at StoneX Stadium that saw momentum constantly switch between the teams.

Jess Breach scored the winning try five minutes from time, producing a stunning solo finish that started in her own half to finally down Chiefs who had repeatedly fought their way back into the pulsating contest.

Saracens will face Trailfinders Women in an all-London PWR Final at Twickenham Stoop on 28 June.
Chiefs made the perfect start in the capital as Claudia Moloney-Macdonald went over inside three minutes.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Premiership Women’s Rugby (@thepwr)

The visitors worked the ball wide and Alex Tessier found Moloney-Macdonald on the touchline, before the England international dotted down in the corner.

Saracens responded almost immediately through Alysha Corrigan, who levelled the scores just two minutes later as quick hands released her in the corner. Zoe Harrison nudged the hosts in front with the conversion.

Breach then put Saracens further ahead 10 minutes later as the wing raced clear following a brilliant interception and offload by Sophie Bridger.

But Chiefs then hit back swiftly themselves as the visitors turned the ball over on Saracens’ five metre line.

Liv McGoverne was the first to go over, only to lose control of the ball as she grounded, but Hope Rogers stepped up to finish from close range after a Chiefs penalty and bring the deficit back to two.

A breathless first half continued apace as the sides continued to trade scores. Saracens restored their advantage as Donna Rose burrowed over from close range after a flowing attack saw Julia Omokhuale steal valuable metres towards the line.

The hosts then put themselves two tries in front when Olivia Apps spotted a gap and scampered over but Chiefs refused to relent.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by TNT Sports Rugby (@tntsportsrugby)

Marlie Packer was sent to the bin and Chiefs took advantage straight away through Amy Rule, who crashed over after heavy pressure.

Chiefs were then back within two just before half time as Cliodhna Moloney-Macdonald bundled home from a well-worked maul.

But there was still time for a ninth try before the teams returned to the sheds, as Rogers got her second and Chiefs’ fifth of the half to put them 31-28 ahead at half time.

It was another maul from the visitors, this time Cliodhna Moloney-Macdonald offloading to Rogers who crossed.

The second half took a while to get going by the frenetic standards of the first half but Apps put Saracens back in front 10 minutes after the restart.

The Canadian – who was crowned PWR Player of the Season earlier this week – picked the ball up from the back of a scrum and found the gap for her second try.

Harrison’s trusty boot slotted the conversion to put Sarries 35-31 ahead but Chiefs came back once more, as Maisy Allen put her side 38-35 in front with just over 10 minutes remaining.

But the pendulum continued to swing and Breach scored her second try of the afternoon to win the match for Saracens with five minutes left on the clock and end an outstanding affair in style.