PWR: Sale Sharks 22-64 Trailfinders Women - Dominant win for Trailfinders in Round 3

The visiting side started fast, scoring six tries in the first half and earning their bonus point after just 20 minutes of play. Sale struggled to contain the visitors’ fast-paced, ruthless attack, although an injection of energy off the bench saw an improved second-half performance from the home side.

Trailfinders got off to a flying start, opening the scoring with a try from Black Fern Georgia Ponsonby, who powered over the line just two minutes in. Sale Sharks hit back quickly, with Rhona Lloyd levelling the score five minutes later after a well-worked team try.

Following a line-out fumble by Sale, Trailfinders capitalised. Strong carries from the back row set up Abi Burton, who fended off the Sharks’ defence and stormed over the try line to restore her side’s lead. It wasn’t long before Trailfinders surged forward again, with Francesca McGhee adding a third try within the first 15 minutes.

A moment of magic from Meg Jones secured Trailfinders their bonus point with only 20 minutes played, extending their lead to 21 points. After a sustained period of dominance from the visitors, Sale regained possession and, on only their second visit to the attacking 22, Amy Cokayne did what she does best — powering over the line to narrow the gap to 14 points.

Trailfinders responded swiftly with a beautifully crafted team try finished by Grace White, adding a fifth score and stretching their advantage once again. They closed out the first half much like they opened it, with Julia Schell sprinting down the wing to cross and expand the lead to 24 points.

Trailfinders maintained their dominance after the break, as Carys Cox darted over the line to increase the lead to 31 points. With the deficit growing, Sale looked to their replacements to make an impact. The fresh legs helped the home side build promising passages of play, gradually gaining ground. Their persistence was rewarded when Rhona Lloyd crossed for her second try of the game following a solid spell of possession.

However, Trailfinders quickly found their rhythm again. Despite going down to 14 players after captain Kate Zackary received a yellow card, Carys Cox secured her brace to keep the scoreboard ticking. The visitors continued their relentless attack, with substitute Rosie Inman extending the lead to 40 points after diving over the whitewash.

Things went from bad to worse for Sale as Lizzie Duffy was shown a yellow card in the 70th minute, leaving the home side a player down to finish the match. Trailfinders took full advantage, executing a brilliant kick chase finished by Julia Schell, who grabbed her second try of the game to grow the gap to 47 points.

Despite a difficult afternoon, Sale Sharks had the final say, securing their bonus-point try in the dying minutes through Scarlett Fielding.

Sale Sharks: 22

Tries: 4 Lloyd (8' 60') Cokayne (28') Fielding (78')

Conversions: 1 Aitchison (29')

Yellow Cards: 1 Lizzie Duffy (70')

Starting XV: 1 Leah Bartlett, 2 Amy Cokayne (C), 3 Sophie Benavent, 4 Iona Antwis, 5 Morwenna Talling, 6 Charlotte Fray, 7 Katie Childs, 8 Erica Jarrell-Searcy, 9 Amy Relf, 10 Holly Aitchison, 11 Holly Thorpe, 12 Katana Howard, 13 Beatrice Rigoni, 14 Rhona Lloyd, 15 Lizzie Duffy

Replacements: 16 Scarlett Fielding, 17 Tysh Harper, 18 Nick James, 19 Eva Donaldson, 20 Sharifa Kasolo, 21 Olivia Ortiz, 22 Georgie Perris-Redding, 23 Evie Willis

Trailfinders Women: 64

Tries: 10 Ponsonby (2') Burton (12') McGhee (16') Jones (20') White (31') Schell (38' 75') Cox (41' 64') Inman (69')

Conversions: 7 Jones (13' 17' 21' 42' 65') Gallagher (71' 76')

Yellow Cards: Kate Zackary (60')

Starting XV: 1 Alivia Leatherman, 2 Georgia Ponsonby, 3 Maya Montiel, 4 Grace Moore, 5 Alana Borland, 6 Rachel Malcolm, 7 Kate Zackary (C), 8 Abi Burton, 9 Ella Amory, 10 Claire Gallagher, 11 Francesca McGhie, 12 Carys Cox, 13 Meg Jones, 14 Grace White, 15 Julia Schell

Replacements: 16 Niamh Swailes, 17 Cana Williams, 18 Miça Evans, 19 Emma Taylor, 20 Haidee Head, 21 Brooke Bradley, 22 Rosie Inman, 23 Niamh Gallagher