Trailfinders Women came up short after losing 43-45 to Leicester Tigers on Saturday (15 February 2025) at Trailfinders Sports Club.
Tries from Kate Zackary, Jess Cooksey, Liz Musgrove, Lisa Thompson, Julia Schell and Rosie Inman meant Trailfinders came away with two points.
This result leaves Trailfinders seventh in the league, heading into the final round of matches.
It was a furious start from Trailfinders, pinning Leicester deep inside their own 22 from kick-off. A dominant scrum allowed Zackary to dive over the line for the opening score.
The away side hit back promptly with a score of their own. Following a free-kick at the scrum, Tahlia Brody opted for the quick tap and powered her way to the line.
Midway through the first 40, Trailfinders found their way on to the scoresheet for the second time. Caity Mattinson found Cooksey who was able to piece through the defensive line.
The end-to-end first half continued as Leicester Tigers found space down the left wing and Francesca McGhie was able to profit.
A scrum on the 22 allowed Trailfinders to execute a set-play straight from the training ground, Musgrove the try scorer after a well worked back line move.
Red Rose Meg Jones found her way through a gap and dotted down meaning Tigers once again retook the lead.
The visitors extended their lead after a dominant maul resulted in a penalty try just before the half-time whistle.
Half-time: Trailfinders Women 17-26 Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers picked up where they left off at the start of the second half, Brody scored her second of the match to put them in a commanding position.
Quick hands from Julia Schell allowed Liz Musgrove to dive over in the corner for her brace and Trailfinders bonus point try.
Another two tries in five minutes from Leicester Tigers’ McGhie meant she went on to secure her hat trick.
With ten minutes on the clock, Lisa Thompson started Trailfinders fightback. The centre crashed over the line and Schell converted.
Schell took advantage of a poor pass and made the intercept, she handed off the Tigers’ fullback and sprinted in from the halfway line.
Two minutes later, it was the turn of Inman to score late try. She finished off a two-on-one and the conversion was added to make it a two-point game.
Trailfinders were looking for one final opportunity, they got one, but a handling error let them down which meant Tigers took the spoils.
Emily Bunder from EALING.NEWS caught up with Trailfinders’ Player of the Match, Julia Schell, after the game.
Julia, you guys really clawed it back in the last ten minutes. How did it feel to close the gap?
“It felt really good. I think we lost it a little bit so I’m proud of the way that we ended up finishing. Obviously, credit to Tigers for coming away with it at the end, but I was very proud of the way that we finished.”
And it’s the last game of the season next week against Loughborough, what are you hoping for?
“This game leaves us neck and neck with Loughborough now, both at [34] points, so I believe the winner will then take sixth, which is still something. So I think we’ll just be looking for a good fight , we’ll take some of the learnings from today into next week.”
Full-time: Trailfinders Women 43-45 Leicester Tigers
Trailfinders Women:
Tries- Kate Zackary 6, Jess Cooksey 23, Liz Musgrove 31 46, Lisa Thompson 72, Julia Schell 75, Rosie Inman 77
Conversions- Julia Schell 24, 73, 76, 78
Yellow Cards- Lindelwa Gwala 40
Leicester Tigers:
Tries- Tahlia Brody 19 42, Francesca McGhie 27 50 54, Meg Jones 35, Penalty Try 40,
Conversions- Claire Gallagher 20 28 43 55
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