Pte Courtney Pursglove (RLC) continued to show her potential to shine at the highest level of domestic club rugby when she made a bit of history by becoming the first Trailfinders Womens player to score a try in a senior competition.
Pte Pursglove made the switch from Sale Sharks in the summer to join Trailfinders, who opened their Allianz Cup campaign with a short trip to Harlequins. Spr Lauren Brooks (RE), who had originally been named on the bench, also started the game in the back row.
The speedster showed both her intelligent supporting running lines and the Quins defence a clean pair of heels to score a 50-metre run-in, a try which was shortlisted for the Allianz Cup Try of the Week.
The score, which was converted thanks to Pte Pursglove dotting down between the uprights, brought Trailfinders back into a contest in which they had trailed 14-0 just after the half-hour mark. But while the visitors would tie things up eight minutes after the resumption of play it was Harlequins – for whom SSgt Jade Mullen (AGC (SPS)) lined up at full back – who went on to record the win, 31-21 the final score.
Trailfinders host Premier 15s champions, Gloucester-Hartpury, this weekend, while Harlequins host Loughborough.
Elsewhere, Gnr Senitiki Nayalo (7 Para RHA) helped Coventry continue their unbeaten start to the season in a Premiership Cup clash with Nottingham at Butts Park Arena.
But while Coventry – who have earned eye-catching results against Saracens and Harlequins already in the campaign – took control of the contest, leading 21-7 in the first half and then 33-19 on the hour, Nottingham battled back superbly to tie things up at 33-all come the final whistle.
Coventry have a challenging trip to another Premiership outfit this weekend, taking on the Cherry and Whites of Gloucester at Kingsholm.
Words © New Dogs, Old Tricks
Header and featured image – Alligin Photography ©
