Welcome to Rugby Uncovered, I'm Tom Nash,  this is episode four of our coverage of the Tyrrells Premier 15s matches. We were at the Saracens Women versus Loughborough Lightning game, this Saturday January 11th.


This was a fascinating battle between the hosts, the current Tyrrells Premier 15s champions, and their visitors, who, over eighty minutes, matched them in most departments, as the 39-31 final score to Saracens Women reflected.


The differences between the two teams in the first half, the speed of thought, the greater strength of the Saracens pack, the innovation, imagination  and pressing of their backs compared with Loughborough Lightning's and at 24-7 to Saracens at half-time, a Tyrrells Premier 15s supporter at the Allianz Arena, a man who's obviously played the game himself in his time, had his own views on where the Loughborough  Lightning women were falling short:


The second half saw a change in the Loughborough team. Physically, they matched their opponents and added more variety in their game when in attacking positions on the edge of the Saracens twenty two. It turned into a brilliant contest, which the hosts ended, delighted to have established the sizeable lead they enjoyed at half-time.


One of the best, most evenly-matched contests seen by Rugby Uncovered this season, the differences in the second half the occasional handling error, an occasional lack of accuracy in the pass, the tightness of Saracens' pressing when their opponents were in possession.


What were key  the differences from the point of view of Saracens Women's number two, May Campbell ?


INTERVIEW WITH MAY CAMPBELL


Loughborough Lightning's number eight, Sarah Hunter, the Tyrrells Player of the Match, had an excellent game, but acknowledged where her team hadn't matched their opponents:


INTERVIEW WITH SARAH HUNTER


Thanks for listening to Rugby Uncovered, we look forward to your company next time!