Snowsill shines in historic win for Barbarians

What happened?

The Barbarians Women took on the USA Eagles in their inaugural test match and what a game of Rugby Union it proved to be. 

Bristol Bears Women fly-half Elinor Snowsill started in the number ten jersey for the famous club side and put on a dazzling display in Denver to help her side fight back and claim an historic result. 

Unfortunately, Amelia Buckland-Hurry sustained an ankle injury in the warm-up and had to be withdrawn from the matchday squad. 

Former Bristol speedster, Jasmine Joyce opened the scoring inside five minutes with a scything run to break the USA defence and get her side off to a dream start. 

The Eagles responded with two tries of their own in the first period as Amy Naber-Bante and Neariah Persinger crashed over the whitewash for the USA. 

Joyce levelled the scoring, before sealing a 35-minute hat-trick in emphatic style, running 80 metres and beating four defenders on her way to the tryline. 

The breathless nature of Barbarians rugby continued with the Baa-Baas scoring two further tries before the half was up, winger, Alison Miller and Welsh flanker, Alisha Butchers crossed the chalk to see the visitors take a 29-12 lead heading into half-time. 

Elinor Snowsill (@elsnowsill) nails the back kick!
👏 @Barbarian_FC

— FloRugby (@FloRugby) April 26, 2019

Elinor Snowsill was on fire through Friday’s game, orchestrating her side in attack and showcasing her full skillset in true Barbarian style. 

As the second half progressed the USA clawed their way back into the game with three unanswered tries via Eti Haungatau, a second for Neariah Persinger before a try in the seventy-seventh minute from Kate Zackary looked to all but seal a stunning comeback victory for the Eagles. 

However, the Baa-Baas had other ideas. The visitors reclaimed possession and showed great patience to break down the US defence and Jasmine Joyce capped a phenomenal display with a fourth try in the eightieth minute to snatch victory at the death for the Baa-Baas. 

The Barbarians will be back in action this summer as they take on England Women at Twickenham on Sunday, June 2nd as part of a double header with the men’s teams.