The Army Senior Women’s trio of Bdr Bethan Dainton (Royal Artillery), Capt Alexandra Eddie (QARANC) and Sgt Jade Mullen (AGC (SPS)) will be looking to help Harlequins Women bounce back into the winning habit at Cobham RFC this afternoon.
Harlequins’ shock one-point defeat at Exeter last week, their first reverse of the season, saw the race at the top of the Premier 15s tighten back up, with Quins and London rivals Saracens now tied once more in first and second place respectively.
Harlequins host Loughborough Lightning at 14:00, a game you can watch live via www.premier15.com, and they will have to be on top form to overcome the Midlanders, who do not just come into the game on the back of two impressive wins over Gloucester-Hartpury and Bristol Bears, but will have the experienced Emily Scarratt spearheading their midfield.
“It’s fantastic to see the league being so fiercely fought this season,” says Harlequins head coach Gerard Mullen.
“In previous years there has been a lot more disparity between teams, but that’s definitely decreasing, which is only good for the league and women’s rugby as a whole in terms of offering a really competitive spectacle.”
The only Men’s Senior representative in action this weekend was LCpl Semesa Rokoduguni (Scots DG), who started on the wing for Bath in their Premiership trip to Sale Sharks.
Bath were overwhelming underdogs heading to the AJ Bell Stadium, but snapped their five-match losing streak against a Sharks outfit who were unable to replicate their stunning victory over league leaders Bristol seven days previously.
LCpl Rokoduguni played all 80 minutes, catching the eye both with ball in hand and with his defensive work, and an outstanding first half from his team mates which saw them lead 24-10 at the break was enough for them to springboard to a much-needed win.
Words © Chris Wearmouth, Images © Neil Kennedy
