It was the visitors who struck first. Exeter moved the ball wide early and Claudia Moloney-MacDonald finished well in the corner to open the scoring. Their lead was short-lived, however, as Saracens responded immediately through Canadian international Alysha Corrigan. Zoe Harrison added the conversion to put the hosts ahead.

A loose ball at the lineout then proved costly for Exeter. Saracens pounced on the error and Jess Breach raced under the posts to score, extending the home side’s advantage. Exeter hit back through powerful prop Hope Rogers, whose close-range finish, combined with Liv McGoverne’s conversion, reduced the deficit to just two points.

Saracens continued to threaten with ball in hand and were rewarded when Donna Rose crossed for their third try. Harrison’s conversion stretched the lead before Liv Apps showcased why she was named PWR Player of the Season, weaving through the Exeter defence to score and push the advantage to 16 points.

The complexion of the match changed late in the first half when Marlie Packer was shown a yellow card. Exeter immediately capitalised on the numerical advantage. Amy Rule crossed soon after before Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald added another try six minutes later. Rogers then grabbed her second score of the afternoon as the Chiefs completed a remarkable comeback to take the lead into the break.

The frantic pace of the opening 40 minutes gave way to a much tighter start to the second half, with both sides battling for territory and possession. It took 15 minutes for the deadlock to be broken, with Apps once again proving the difference. The dynamic back-row forward crossed for her second try of the match, and Harrison’s conversion restored Saracens’ lead.

The hosts thought they had extended their advantage further when replacement Emma Hardy crossed the line, only for the score to be ruled out following a knock-on in the build-up. Exeter seized on the momentum swing and responded through Maisy Allen, reclaiming the lead with 20 minutes remaining.

The contest continued to swing from end to end, but Saracens found the decisive blow through Breach. The England winger gathered brilliantly before racing clear for her second try of the afternoon, putting the hosts back in front.

Exeter continued to push for a late response, but Saracens’ defence stood firm through the closing stages. As the clock ticked into the red, the home side held on to secure a hard-fought victory and a place in the PWR Final.

Tries: Corrigan (8’) Breach (15’ 74’) Rose (23’) Apps (30’ 56’)

Conversions: Harrison (8’ 16’ 23’ 31’ 57’)

Yellow Cards: Packer (32’)

Starting XV: 1 Liz Crake, 2 Bryony Field, 3 Donna Rose, 4 Julia Omokhuale, 5 Laetitia Royer, 6 Gabrielle Senft, 7 Marlie Packer (CC), 8 Sophie de Goede, 9 Olivia Apps, 10 Zoe Harrison (CC), 11 Lotte Sharp, 12 Sophie Bridger, 13 Sydney Gregson, 14 Alysha Corrigan, 15 Jess Breach

Replacements: 16 Carmen Tremelling, 17 Kelsey Clifford, 18 Chloe Flanagan, 19 Georgia Evans, 20 Poppy Cleall, 21 Tori Sellors, 22 Amelia MacDougall, 23 Emma Hardy

Tries: Claudia Moloney-Macdonald (3’) Rogers (17’ 40+3’) Rule (33’) Cliodhna Moloney-Macdonald (38’) Allen (67’)

Conversions: McGoverne (18’ 34’ 39’ 68’)

Starting XV: 1 Hope Rogers, 2 Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, 3 Amy Rule, 4 Linde van der Velden, 5 Dorothy Wall, 6 Emily Robinson (C), 7 Maisy Allen, 8 DaLeaka Menin, 9 Flo Robinson, 10 Liv McGoverne, 11 Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, 12 Nancy McGillivray, 13 Alex Tessier, 14 Katie Buchanan, 15 Sabrina Poulin

Replacements: 16 Emily Tuttosi, 17 Abby Middlebrooke, 18 Lola Whitley, 19 Gabriella Nigrelli, 20 Zoë Dare, 21 Lucy Nye, 22 Damielle Preece, 23 Merryn Elworthy

Another superb player of the match performance from the PWR player of the season, Liv Apps. The Canadian international has continually showed her world class ability as the Saracens scrum half and this game is no different, with her playing a key part in the Saracens attack, scoring two tries, the first one being at the 30-minute mark and the second coming in the 56^th minute which broke the second half deadlock and saw Saracens retake the lead.

Jess Breach, on her 50^th cap for the Saracens side, had an outstanding game, running in two impressive tries the second of which clinched Saracens the victory and a place in the Premiership Women’s Rugby Final. Her ability to handle the ball and speed down the wing has made her a vital part of the Saracens starting XV, and today her world class ability played a key role in the result.

The Exeter Chiefs starting front three, Hope Rodgers, Cliodhna Moloney-Macdonald and Amy Rule put in an incredible performance today with the three of them scoring four of Exeter Chiefs’ six tries. Hope Rodgers bagging a brace followed by Moloney-Macdonald and Rule scoring one a piece too. Their total dominance over the scrum saw them overpower the Saracens pack multiple times throughout the game.

The Semifinals saw the return of many of the Canadian internationals, for both Saracens and Exeter. Many of the players also play the sevens format of the sport and were away playing on the World SVNS Circuit with their international side. The Canadians returned to the PWR and of course in style with many of the players putting on fantastic performances this weekend.