Saracens end Gloucester-Hartpury’s unbeaten Premiership Women's Rugby season with narrow victory

Saracens denied Gloucester-Hartpury an unbeaten Allianz Premiership Women's Rugby campaign with a narrow 33-31 victory.

The win ensured Saracens finished second in the table, securing a home match in the play-off semi-finals.

Gloucester-Hartpury made sure they would finish first with a dominant victory against Trailfinders last week and were just one game away from a historic unbeaten season.

But Saracens spoiled the party. Tries from Georgia Brock, Sydney Gregson and May Campbell gave the hosts a 19-5 lead at half-time, before Ellena Perry and Neve Jones drew Gloucester-Hartpury level after the break.

Each team then scored two more tries, with Emma Sing’s missed conversion making the difference.

Saracens centre Sophie Bridger praised the home supporters for their role in the hard-fought victory.

“That meant so much to the club,” she said. “With how the season’s gone as well - just to be able to have that at home with the fans.

“Our fans are our biggest supporters, and to have them revving us up at every point, at key moments in the game. They got so loud and it was just so lovely to hear.”

Bridger added: “We knew it was going to be a bit of a hard game, a dogfight. We knew there was going to be great rugby on show from both teams.

“When we went in at half-time, it was all about, we've got 40 more minutes left for this game, it's an 80-minute game and we fought to the end.

“We're really proud of the girls for how they dealt with that and how our actions ended up with that final score. Those forwards really getting it back for us.”

Meanwhile, Bristol Bears are on track to finish third after a 47-25 victory against sixth-placed Harlequins. They are now four points clear of Exeter Chiefs, who were not in action this week.

Sale Sharks remain at the bottom of the table despite a 36-21 victory against second-bottom Leicester Tigers, while Loughborough Lightning are set to finish fifth after narrowly beating Trailfinders 19-18.

The final day of the season takes place next week, with Exeter Chiefs the only team not in action. The play-offs will then begin on Sunday, June 9.

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