Trailfinders claim first silverware with JAECOO Next Gen Cup final win

Trailfinders Women claimed the JAECOO Next Gen Cup with 22-21 victory over Saracens at StoneX Stadium to earn their first-ever piece of silverware as a club.

The west London side had to overturn a half-time deficit against last season’s JAECOO PWR final opponents as their driving maul proved pivotal in an exhilarating encounter.

It was Trailfinders who found the opening score after just 11 minutes.

The visitors benefitted from a lineout close to the whitewash that saw a powerful driving maul help Niamh Swailes carry over the line, with Charlotte Brookes duly converting.

Trailfinders did not have long to enjoy their lead, however.

Morgan Freeman offered an immediate response at the other end for Saracens, with Amelia MacDougall once again showing her kicking prowess to tie the scores after 17 minutes.

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With both sides putting up a strong defence, it was not until the 32nd minute that the next score came.

This time it was Tori Sellors there to dot down for Saracens to put them ahead for the first time in the final.

And MacDougall’s conversion ensured a seven-point advantage as they entered the break 14-7 to the good.

The driving maul proved just as effective after the restart as it had before for Trailfinders, however.

Captain Swailes was once more the beneficiary as Trailfinders showed their power to push over the line and bring the game within a margin of two points at 14-12 after 54 minutes.

And just 10 minutes later, the west London side had re-taken the lead through Annabel Meta.

The loosehead prop had waited her turn to push over as Trailfinders had quickly gained territory near the tryline with Meta able to power over for the points.

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This time, the visitors were not going to let their lead slip quite so quickly.

Instead, it was Brooke Bradley next to cross the whitewash. The scrum-half flew off the back of a driving maul to evade the attempted tackles from Saracens to dot down in the right corner.

But Sarries were not going to give up easily as the north London side came back with ferocity.

It did not take long for the hosts to move back within a point in a thrilling finish to the contest at StoneX Stadium.

Brilliant work at the line saw replacement Jemima Moss go over under the post and MacDougall’s 100 percent conversion rate came in clutch to move them to just 22-21 behind Trailfinders with five minutes to go.

It looked as though Trailfinders would bolster that marginal lead with just two minutes left as they kicked their penalty to touch to utilise that impressive driving maul once again.

But as they dropped down over the try line, the referee blew to say it had been held up to set up a frantic finish.

And despite Saracens’ late push, Trailfinders were able to hold on to enjoy their first-ever trophy lift at the home of their opponents.