Moloney-MacDonald Scores Three Tries as Exeter Chiefs Dominate Trailfinders
Hooker Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald’s first-half hat-trick helped Exeter Chiefs establish a commanding 21-7 lead at halftime against Trailfinders Women. Moloney-MacDonald’s three tries, combined with flanker Maisy Allen’s two late efforts, secured a 47-14 victory for the Chiefs, strengthening their hold on third place in the Premiership Women's Rugby standings.
The Chiefs crossed the try line seven times in total. In addition to Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald’s trio of tries, her wife Claudia Moloney-MacDonald also contributed with a try from the wing. Prop Amy Rule added another try for Exeter, while Trailfinders managed one try in each half through Alana Borland and Georgia Ponsonby.
All of Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald’s tries were scored before the break. Trailfinders’ Alana Borland responded with a converted try, keeping her team within reach after the Ireland international’s opening score in the fifth minute.
Early in the second half, Amy Rule capitalized on a loose ball at a lineout to score Exeter’s fourth try, securing a bonus point for the Chiefs. Trailfinders’ Georgia Ponsonby then powered over for a try of her own.
On the hour mark, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald extended Exeter’s lead with her try. Maisy Allen’s two late tries sealed the victory, confirming Exeter Chiefs’ position behind Gloucester-Hartpury and ahead of fourth-placed Harlequins in the league table.
Elsewhere in the Premiership Women’s Rugby, Sale Sharks delivered a dominant performance by thrashing bottom-placed Leicester Tigers 62-3, moving ahead of Trailfinders into fifth place.
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