UK Armed Forces Women VS Trailfinders Women Post-Match Report

Match Report: UK Armed Forces Women 29 - 41 Trailfinders Women A

United Services Sports Ground, Portsmouth

Kickoff: 1500 hrs | Weather: Sunny but very cold

On a crisp winter’s afternoon in Portsmouth, the UK Armed Forces (UKAF) Women faced Trailfinders Women A in a spirited Remembrance game, marked by a poignant two-minute silence and a bugle call before kickoff. The stage was set for an intense battle, with both teams determined to put on a show.

From the opening whistle, Trailfinders demonstrated their intent, using blistering pace on the wings and sharp running lines to pierce the UKAF defence. The visitors raced to a commanding 12-0 lead within 15 minutes, exploiting gaps and making early inroads.

UKAF, however, were not going to be overwhelmed. Gradually finding their rhythm, they began to assert themselves with powerful defensive tackles and structured set plays. Their breakthrough came courtesy of fullback Jasmine Abel, whose superbly timed run sliced through the Trailfinders’ defence, crossing for UKAF’s opening try. Courtney Pursglove’s precise conversion narrowed the gap to 7-12.

Trailfinders quickly hit back with another try, again showcasing their dangerous wing play, though the scoreline 7-19 at halftime which did not fully reflect the close nature of the contest.

Second Half: UKAF Fight Back

The second half saw UKAF emerge with renewed purpose and physicality, spurred on by the vocal home crowd. Their comeback began with prop Sophie Benavant’s barnstorming run, brushing off multiple defenders to crash over the line for UKAF’s second try. Pursglove’s conversion made it 14-19, and the momentum began to shift.

The next 20 minutes belonged to UKAF. The team’s cohesion and grit paid dividends with two more tries, as they out muscled and outmaneuvered Trailfinders in key phases of play. One conversion from Pursglove edged the home side into the lead for the first time, 26-24, before her reliable boot added a penalty kick to extend the margin to 29-24.

With 10 minutes left, UKAF appeared poised for a stunning comeback victory. However, Trailfinders refused to be denied, reverting to their wing-focused strategy. Exploiting space on the edges, they ran in two late tries and added crucial points with the boot, sealing a hard-fought 41-29 victory.

Though the scoreboard favored the visitors, UKAF delivered a performance full of heart and determination, proving their ability to rally under pressure. The physicality of the match was a standout feature, with the sound of crunching tackles echoing across the ground.

The match served as a fitting tribute on Remembrance weekend, embodying the spirit of resilience and camaraderie. While Trailfinders returned to London with the win, UKAF can take pride in their effort and look ahead with confidence to future challenges.

Final Score: UKAF 29 - 41 Trailfinders Women A