PWR Final | Trailfinders Women player ratings vs Saracens

Saracens secured their fourth Premiership Women’s Rugby title at Twickenham Stoop this afternoon with a dominant 52-14 win over Trailfinders Women.

It wasn’t to be for Barney Maddison’s side today. They were second best this afternoon and came up short in the battle up front, but they can be proud of making it to a showpiece finale.

Saracens ran out 52-14 winners in what was Saracens captain, Marlie Packer’s final game for the club as she joins Harlequins next season. It was fitting she ended her Saracens career.

Saracens scored four tries to lead 26-0 in the first half and added four more after the break with Jess Breach’s second half solo effort being one of the best.

15. Rosie Inman – 5
Missed a crucial tackle on Corrigan which allowed Sarries to score their fourth try. Made some positive carries and tried to inject herself into Trailfinders’ counter-attacking game. Great run in the second half to allow Trailfinders player, Maya Monteil to score. Was replaced on 50 minutes shortly after kicking a conversion to help add points for Trailfinders after Maya Monteil’s try.

14. Vicky Laflin – 7
Linked up well with Meg Jones but didn’t quite have the space to show off her skillset in first half. In the second half, the ball went out wide more and she went on some good runs. She looked one of the more likely Trailfinders backs to turn possession into something dangerous. That’s very much her profile – pace, finishing instincts, and being sharp on the edge.

13. Meg Jones – 7.5
Most consistent attacking threat: She’s been one of the few Trailfinders players who were able to break the defensive line or at least bend it. In a game where Saracens dominated territory and collisions, that mattered a lot. She clearly took on the “front-up” responsibility, carrying into contact and trying to get gain-line wins rather than just recycling.

12. Carys Cox – 6
Put in plenty of tackles but couldn’t get over the gain line consistently. In the second half, she went on a few rampaging runs. She stayed disciplined under Saracens’ kicking game and helped cover width when Trailfinders were under pressure. When she did get ball in hand, she generally made sensible decisions – either securing ground or setting up exits rather than forcing risky plays. Kept involved, didn’t drift out of the game even when opportunities were limited.

11. Grace White – 8.5
Monstrous tackles all game when it mattered. Defended solidly. Little opportunity to attack in the first half. Played with ball in hand a bit more in the second. She was heavily involved in stopping Saracens’ phase play, especially around the fringes where a lot of the pressure was coming. Lots of tackles and covering work. Was up for Player of the Match by TNT Sports and rightly so.

10. Claire Gallagher – 6
Didn’t really control the game as well as her opposition, had little possession. Saracens’ defensive line speed meant she had limited time to operate, and at times she was forced into safer options rather than unlocking play. Unlike her semi-final performance [where she was heavily praised for accurate kicking that helped unlock tries], today she didn’t really get the same attacking platform or space to influence the game as much.

9. Isla Norman-Bell – 5.5
Nice switch pass on 26 minutes but not quick enough with ball in hand. Saracens’ defensive pressure restricted her options in first half. The game didn’t open enough for her to show her pace or stepping ability.

1. Alivia Leatherman – 5
Like several Trailfinders forwards, she spent long periods defending rather than attacking. No clear turnovers, line breaks, or dominant carry that flipped possession or field position.

2. Georgia Ponsonby – 6.5
She was everywhere in tight exchanges – carrying into contact, clearing rucks, and making repeated tackles without dropping off. Even when Saracens were dominating territory, she consistently fronted up and helped Trailfinders stay in the fight physically.

3. Maya Montiel – 6
Scored first Trailfinders first try on 49 minutes. Physical in defence, making Saracens work for metres. Like much of the Trailfinders pack, she spent long periods defending because Saracens controlled possession and territory. She couldn’t produce a decisive turnover, line break, or other momentum-shifting moment that changed the course of the match.

4. Emma Wassell – 6.5
She carried when needed and didn’t shy away from contact, even when Trailfinders were often going backwards. Like much of the pack, she spent long periods defending, which naturally reduces the impact a lock can have in open play.

5. Alana Bremner – 6.5
She brought strong carry attempts when Trailfinders needed forward momentum, even if those carries were often into set defensive lines. Like much of the Trailfinders pack, she spent long periods defending rather than attacking. No big turnover, line break, or momentum-shifting play that swung the match back toward Trailfinders.

6. Haidee Head – 5.5
She had a couple of uncharacteristic knock-ons and miscues in contact situations, which stalled a few promising phases and handed momentum back to Saracens. Saracens’ defensive speed seemed to rush her decisions at times, leading to slightly mistimed passes or rushed exits.

7. Kate Zackary – 7.5
Last game for Trailfinders Women, dominant with ball in hand. Led from the front with plenty of work at the breakdown and in defence. Replaced on 70 minutes – a performance to be pleased with. She was right in the middle of the defensive grind. Lots of tackling work, especially around the fringes where Saracens kept trying to roll through phases. Not always getting go-forward every time, but she consistently took on hard carries when Trailfinders needed to get out of trouble.

8. Abi Burton – 7
She was one of Trailfinders’ more consistent gain-line threats. When she carried, she tended to commit defenders and at least get the team over the advantage line. Lots of work in the middle – she didn’t step back from the collision area and was regularly involved in stopping Saracens’ phase momentum.

Replacements – N/A

Nothing hugely to write home about from Trailfinders’ substitutes. By the time most of them were introduced to proceedings the game was wrapped up. It was like trying to stop an oncoming train.