Leicester Tigers produced their best performance of the season to score seven tries and narrowly defeat a relentless Trailfinders side.
A try bonus point was secured in the first half before an electric start to the second helped the side to a commanding lead. Although the hosts brought on a slew of talent from the bench, Leicester held firm and eventually booted the ball out to jubilant scenes and their fourth win of the 2024/25 season.
Both sides trade possession at kick off, an initial Tigers infringement defended well by a double shot from Natasha Jones and Evie Wills that forces a knock on. Carrying in the tight, Leicester make a few metres up field before the hosts force a penalty. They opt for the scrum and, driving through, captain Kate Zackary picks from the base and dives over for the game’s opening score.
Kicking deep into Trailfinders territory, the defence is up strongly and forcing a kick downfield. This allows Tigers to string a few solid phases together, Eva Donaldson gliding through for ten metres before Francesca McGhie breaks the line, her offload inches away from releasing Meg Jones.
Tigers continue to build the phases with Tahlia Brody leading the way with dynamic carries right on the gainline before Meg Jones makes a break from nothing to advance Tigers into the Trailfinders 22, play coming back for a penalty that is kicked to touch.
Nikki Simpson launches a perfect line out to the tail and successive carries get Leicester a couple of metres away. At the subsequent scrum, Trailfinders infringe to give away a penalty; taken quickly by Amy Relf, Brody detonates into contact, bashing through two attempted tackles to touch down.
It looks Leicester will get a second moments later as Relf slips through to carve a two on one but her ranged pass to M Jones is intercepted by Zackary to allow the hosts back into the match. They take advantage, a set piece move seeing centre Jess Cooksey scoring.
Moments later, Tigers are back on level terms. Carries tight to the line eventually see the ball shipped wide. Evie Wills does well to catch low before offloading out to M Jones, the magician dancing through the rush defence before releasing McGhie to score.
Two minutes later and the hosts then go back ahead in this see-saw contest. A knock on as Tigers build the attack saw the ball shipped wide from the scrum and allowing Scottish wing Liz Musgrove to score in the corner.
A minute later and Leicester then retake the lead. A superb line out, taken high and popped downward to the onrushing maul, falls just short. The forwards take their time, carrying tight before eventually a dainty kick through from M Jones is dived on by the Red Rose to help retake the lead.
Meg is in electric form today as a sensational whipped pass moments later releases McGhie down the left who gets back into the Trailfinders 22. A penalty is won a minute later, kicked to touch and allows Tigers the try bonus point before half time. Another perfect Nikki Simpson lineout finding captain McBrien and a rumbling rolling maul is impeded, granting Tigers a penalty try.
Half time score: Trailfinders Women 17 – 26 Leicester Tigers
The second half starts as the first ended, Tigers electrifying.
It all starts from an M Jones chip and chase from inside her own half, Jones collecting and instantaneously flinging it wide to Emily Henrich. The eagle is caught on the Trailfinders 22 but again the forwards stay patient. Eventually, Tahlia Brody steam through from a floated Natasha Jones pass and No.8 dummies the pass to glide pass the fullback and score under the posts.
Very much picking up from the first half, the hosts respond instantaneously. Tight carries see powerful forwards Tyson Beukeboom and Grace Moore get over the gain line before the ball is offloaded wide to Vicky Laflin to score.
Again though, Leicester have an answer. The forwards have been relentless in the carry and are tying in tired bodies before M Jones decides it's time to go wide. Spotting space wide, McGhie has wrapped around and when the kick is floated over the Scot collects on the run and dives over.
Although Trailfinders win back possession, Meg Jones pops up again - firstly winning a turnover to relieve pressure before hitting another miss-pass over the top to exploit the space. It looks like McGhie will get her hat-trick here but she's foiled just short. A second later though and the treble is secured, another stretch of carries eventually seeing the ball shipped wide where McGhie and Claire Gallagher play a one-two with one another, the wing wrapping round and cantering into space to score in the corner.
A word here for Claire Gallagher's kicking, which has been exemplary all afternoon and a kick from the touchline here extending the Leicester lead.
What stands out over this next period is the defence. Trailfinders have made four subs and throw the kitchen sink at the visitors, a medley of offloads and hard carries but they are repelled by the immense work rate of Katie Childs and Julia Omokhuale before Leah Bartlett wins a vital turnover on just five metres out.
Bartlett inflicts more damage a few minutes later as the front row force Trailfinders down to win a scrum penalty and kick to touch at halfway.
However, there's a final twist in the tail. With less than ten minutes to go, Trailfinders score three tries in rapid succession to go within three points of the lead. A low drive from Lisa Thompson, a halfway line interception and a tap penalty exploiting space, all of which were converted, almost bring back the deficit as Trailfinders go from 23 points down to three points from the lead.
Tigers somehow find the resilience to hold out though, a knock on forced out wide and the scrum holding firm to allow Natasha Jones to kick the ball out and solidify a massive win.
Full time score: Trailfinders Women 43 - 45 Leicester Tigers
Get your tickets now for our final Premiership Women's Rugby match of 2024/25, when we welcome Exeter Chiefs on Friday, February 21 (7.45pm).
The match is part of a Double Header with an academy fixture preceding the women's match under the Friday Night Lights.
