Gloucester-Hartpury were victorious after an epic final in Kingsholm. a controversial penalty attempt, three yellow cards, moments of breathtaking prowess accompanied by deafening driving and Saray in full voice; yes, it was the Premier 15s final to match the drama and brilliance of any performance by their male counterparts in the old stadium.
If the men's premier league has struggled to overcome the trauma of losing its first two and then ultimately three clubs to financial ruin this season, there was an intoxicating feeling of exuberance as Gloucester-Hartpury emerged as the league's third winner. taking the title from London for the first time.
“I was a little speechless. I'm proud of the performance, we put everything into it. It's been a long season and it's so unrealistic to end it,” George, Man of the Match, told Lleuk with a smile.
The hegemony of the Saracens and Harlequins was crushed, and with a crowd of 9,668 creating a brilliant atmosphere under the June sun, it was like a celebration of sports on the march, only a month after England had drawn a record crowd. 58,498 at Twickenham for winning the Grand Slams against France.
When co-captains Natasha “Moe” Hunt and Zoe Oldcroft lifted the trophy together, it sparked a celebration that was to last well into the night. The decision of the Gloucester Hartpurie players to donate their match fees to former Saxons from Gloucester and England to block Ed Slater's motor neurone disease campaign only underscored the sense of chance.
Natasha Hunt got even more Silver this season. Photo: Getty Images/Ryan Hiscott
“This is a special band. It was a great game,” said Gloucester head coach Sean Lynn. “It shows the nature of the people that Sarah Beckett and Mo Hunt have. At the beginning of the year they were very disappointed [to miss out on qualifying for the World Cup in England], and sometimes that's a sport. But they just showed what they can do and what they can control.”
Next month will be a game-changer for the competition as Belinda Moore, wife of former England prostitute Brian, will lead the campaign to bring Rugby Union and clubs together in a new partnership. The sky is the limit. It's easy to see why. The entertainment was compelling.
If the score was supposed to be a one-sided fight, that wasn't the case at all. Having beaten the finalists in the last two seasons, Exeter have made a huge contribution to a competition that has managed to sustain a level of intensity that has rarely fallen below the level of brutality. Support has also been remarkably tribal. Exeter had to endure long periods of pressure but never gave up and proved he was capable of hitting back to keep the excitement going the whole time.
They will regret two spells in the game; first, due to his failure to capitalize on a first-half yellow card given to No. 8 Gloucester Beckett for a high tackle by Hope Rogers.
Gloucester-Hartpury dominated the opening exchanges, but their lead was limited by the excellent Kelsey Jones who tried from the lead line. Hunt came agonizingly close to adding a second, but was held up by Gabby Canthorn.
Moments after Beckett's yellow card, Exeter took the lead thanks to a try by Emily Tuttosi converted by Liv McGovern. However, it was Gloucester-Hartpury who stormed back, finishing the half under control despite their numerical advantage, with attempts from Rachel Lund and Beckett just after her return.
The moment that tore the game away from Exeter came early in the second half when George's chip over the goal line was deliberately put in touch by Claudia McDonald to prevent a goal attempt.
When Lund was shown a yellow card, Exeter hit McGovern back but Emma Sing's penalty widened the lead, and when Keith Zachary was sent to the sin basket for clearing the ball to thwart another attack Gloucester, an attempt by Lisa Neumann completed an unforgettable performance. However, Exeter fought back again, still having time to score a try through Ebony Jeffreys.
“The strongest team came out on top and that’s usually how finals go,” said Susie Appleby, Exeter head coach. “Over 9,000 people come to Kingsholm to watch the final, it's amazing. The game is in an amazing place and players are role models for the future.”
What a ending.
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