PWR: Saracens 45 – 7 Exeter Chiefs – Poppy Cleall leads Sarries to one-sided win

However, they did manage to salvage some pride by putting points on the board with the final play of the game.

Poppy Cleall showcased her experience and class throughout, delivering a Player of the Match performance. She scored Saracens’ first two tries and also produced an outrageous kick-and-chase that led to Tori Sellors’ try.

Exeter started strongly, launching early waves of attack with both wingers making positive carries. However, the Saracens defence held firm and cleared their lines effectively.

Despite the visitors’ bright opening, Saracens quickly turned the tide. A key turnover from May Campbell handed the hosts possession, and it wasn’t long before they were on the scoreboard, with Poppy Cleall crossing the line and Zoe Harrison adding the conversion.

Exeter attempted to respond, but the wet conditions combined with Saracens’ defensive pressure stalled their progress.

Once again, Saracens shifted momentum in their favour. After a sustained spell of pressure on the Chiefs’ defence, Cleall found the try line for a second time. Harrison’s successful conversion doubled the home side’s lead.

Saracens began to assert their dominance, with a trademark driving maul resulting in a Marlie Packer try. Harrison added the extras once more to extend the lead to 21 points.

Exeter tried again to finish the half strongly, but Saracens capitalised on a visitors’ error and pushed for the bonus-point try, only for the half-time whistle to intervene.

Exeter’s start to the second half was far from ideal, with hooker Emily Tuttosi receiving a yellow card for a dangerous tackle on Lotte Sharp, leaving the visitors down to 14 players for ten minutes.

With the numerical advantage, Saracens put together a series of strong phases before Kelsey Clifford powered over to secure the bonus-point try. Harrison’s conversion extended the lead to 28 points.

Saracens continued to launch waves of attack at the Exeter defence, and slick handling from the backs allowed Alysha Corrigan to cross for the home side’s fifth try.

A delayed restart due to the referee sustaining an injury, with Exeter in possession, did little to disrupt Saracens’ defensive focus as they remained composed.

With over 20 minutes remaining, Exeter increased the pressure in search of their first points, but the Saracens defence remained resolute.

Saracens stretched their advantage to 38 points when Tori Sellors crossed for their sixth try, created by a brilliant kick-and-chase from Poppy Cleall.

With less than ten minutes to play, fatigue began to show on both sides. Saracens, however, continued to attack, while Exeter searched desperately for a breakthrough.

The hosts added to their tally once more as Canadian international Julia Omokhuale scored their seventh try. Amelia MacDougall converted to push the lead to 45 points.

As the clock moved into the red, Exeter made one final push and were finally rewarded, with Hope Rogers crossing the line. Liv McGoverne added the conversion to complete the scoring.

Tries: Cleall (14’, 28’), Packer (35’), Clifford (47’), Corrigan (52’), Sellors (68’), Omokhuale (78’)
Conversions: Harrison (14’, 28’, 35’, 48’), MacDougall (79’)

Starting XV: 1 Kelsey Clifford, 2 May Campbell (cc), 3 Donna Rose, 4 Julia Omokhuale, 5 Jodie Verghese, 6 Gabrielle Senft, 7 Marlie Packer, 8 Poppy Cleall, 9 Tori Sellors, 10 Zoe Harrison (cc), 11 Lotte Sharp, 12 Sophie Bridger, 13 Sydney Gregson, 14 Alysha Corrigan, 15 Jess Breach

Replacements: 16 Bryony Field, 17 Liz Crake, 18 Carmen Tremelling, 19 Louise McMillan, 20 Laetitia Royer, 21 Amelia MacDougall, 22 Emma Hardy, 23 Paige Farries

Tries: Rogers (83’)
Conversions: McGoverne (84’)
Yellow Cards: Tuttosi (42’)

Starting XV: 1 Hope Rogers, 2 Emily Tuttosi, 3 Amy Rule, 4 Linde van der Velden, 5 Abby Duguid, 6 Zoë Dare, 7 Maisy Allen (c), 8 Maddie Feaunati, 9 Flo Robinson, 10 Liv McGoverne, 11 Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, 12 Gabby Cantorna, 13 Alex Tessier, 14 Francesca Granzotto, 15 Sabrina Poulin

Replacements: 16 Eleanor Febrey, 17 Demi Swann, 18 DaLeaka Menin, 19 Kate Smith, 20 Gabriella Nigrell, 21 Lucy Nye, 22 Naomi Brennan, 23 Merryn Elworthy