Report: Exeter Chiefs Women 66-0 Bristol Bears Women

Sunday, April 17th 2022

A tough afternoon for the Bears away at Sandy Park saw their hopes of reaching the final of the Allianz Cup dashed in a 66-0 defeat to Exeter Chiefs.

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Chiefs opened the scores with Kate Zackary slicing her way through the Bears defence to score under the posts. Megan Foster converting to give the Chiefs the early lead in the opening 5 minutes.

Bears had their chances in the next 10 minutes after setting up camp in Exeter’s 22 almost looked to be the making of their first score. But as they gained the territory in the 22, a penalty against Holly Phillips in the lineout handed the ball back to the Chiefs.

The hosts soon doubled their score with Hope Rogers crashing over the line and Foster converting to take them in at the break 14-0 ahead.

Running out for the second half, the Bears started off strong with a huge defensive effort from the pack turning over the Chiefs on their own try line to take play back up field.

Exeter Chiefs forced Bristol back in their own scrum moments later, but skipper Lucy Burgess did well under pressure to keep her composure and rally the troops to keep hold of play.

With the Bears grappling to get over the gain line, Exeter were quick to take advantage and take play back into the Bears 22. Linde Van der Velden and Clara Nielson adding their names to the scoreboard to extend their lead.

Firmly in control of the match, Rogers crossed the line for her second alongside a double from Jennine Detiveaux and solo from Charlie Willett to leave the Bears struggling to get a foothold in the match.

Bristol were dealt another blow in the closing stages after a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on resulted in a penalty try for Exeter.

Utilising the extra player, Chiefs ran rampant to firmly book their place in the final with Daisy French powering over the line off the back of a driving lineout for the full-time whistle.

Exeter Chiefs Women: 15. Merryn Doidge; 14. Jennine Detiveaux, 13. Kanako Kobayashi, 12. Gabby Cantorna, 11. Olivia Jones, 10. Megan Foster, 9. Flo Robinson; 1. Hope Rogers, 2. Clara Nielson, 3. Laura Delgado, 4. Poppy Leitch (CC), 5. Linde Van Der Velden, 6. Ebony Jefferies, 7. Maisy Allen, 8. Kate Zackary.

Replacements: 16. Daisy French, 17. Lizzie Hanlon, 18. Michella Roberts, 19. Charlie Willett, 20. Eilidh Sinclair, 21. Brooke Bradley, 22. Patricia Garcia, 23. Nancy McGillivray

Bristol Bears Women: 15. Ella Lovibond; 14. Kyara Martin, 13. Jo Smith, 12. Phoebe Murray, 11. Lilly Stoeger-Goddard; 10. Lucie Skuse, 9. Lucy Burgess ©; 1. Simi Pam, 2. Holly Phillips, 3. Hannah West, 4. Delaney Burns, 5. Hollie Cunningham, 6. Jenny Herring, 7. Daisie Mayes, 8. Alice Lockwood

System players: 16. Jess Sprague, 17. China Kill, 18. Marlo Boyd, 19. Ellie Lewis 20. Lauren Powell