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‘Warrior queens’ Gloucester-Hartpury edge towards three-peat – but Ilona Maher PWR spell over

Gloucester-Hartpury are into another PWR final
Gloucester-Hartpury are into another PWR final – PA/Andrew Matthews

Gloucester-Hartpury 36 Bristol Bears 20

Gloucester-Hartpury are hurtling towards another Premiership Women’s Rugby crown. Only Saracens now stand in the way of a third successive domestic title and, on this evidence, these “warrior queens” of the West Country are unlikely to be dethroned.

Sean Lynn, the Gloucester head coach who will depart the club after five years to take charge of Wales for the upcoming Women’s Six Nations following the final on March 16, hailed his side for the nous they showed in problem-solving their way past a gutsy Bristol Bears outfit. “They’re unbelievable and they’re all about being warrior queens, that’s exactly what they were today,” he said.

Not many had given Dave Ward’s side a chance – they embraced their underdog tag after squeezing into the play-offs – but Lark Atkin-Davies’s two tries inside the opening quarter silenced a 6,702-strong crowd that had packed into The Shed.

It was only a matter of time, though, before Gloucester flexed their muscles and drew on their champions mindset. The hosts’ three tries from four entries into Bristol’s 22 in a high-octane first half was a glittering illustration of their ruthlessness.

The Bears went toe to toe with them for large parts but simply had no response to their physicality, or the quartet of Red Roses who formed the spine of their all-conquering pack in Zoe Aldcroft, Alex Matthews, Sarah Beckett and Maud Muir. They certainly made Lynn, who was serenaded after the final whistle, proud.

“I’ve put my heart and soul into these past five years at Gloucester-Hartpury,” said Lynn, who was joined in his post-match press conference by his three children. “My family loves it. When I talk about inspiring, these players, these staff have inspired my three kids. That’s what sport is about.”

Even by his side’s lofty standards, this was far from a vintage performance from Gloucester. In a rare sign that their forwards were creaking under the pressure of knock-out rugby, they leaked three scrum penalties before the break. But by the half-hour mark, they had flicked a switch. Scores from El Perry and Beckett settled early nerves before Emma Sing raced clear, as the hosts capitalised on Evie Gallagher’s yellow card for a high tackle on Pip Hendy.

Sing, the Gloucester full-back, had a magnificent afternoon from the tee, stepping up to nail a crucial penalty late in the game as the hosts kept on top of the scoreboard pressure. She is the best kicker in the English women’s game right now and her four conversions from five suggested as much. You would like to think she has done enough to usurp Ellie Kildunne in the 15 jersey in an England match-day squad.

The highlight of Bristol’s campaign has undoubtedly been the coup of signing United States sevens player Ilona Maher, the most followed rugby player on social media who has taken the sport to a stratospheric, celebrity-like level. Ward’s decision to start the American in place of young English winger Reneeqa Bonner was a contentious one, although she did score in the corner after the break.

Will English rugby see her again? “I never say never,” said Maher, who cut an emotional figure after the full-time whistle. “It was amazing to come and play here for two months. Even if I’m not playing, I hope this league continues to grow and we can get these [crowd] numbers out there.”

The club’s women’s Instagram account now has more than 100,000 followers – quadrupling since December last year. But on the pitch, they continue to lack the accuracy and intensity of a golden team like Gloucester-Hartpury. “I’ve been proud of the rugby we’ve put out in front of a lot more people,” said head coach Ward, who was gracious in defeat but heralded Maher’s impact in a massive year for the women’s game. “Even in Bristol, I know it sounds silly, but in the parks I’m seeing more rugby balls than footballs. If I go down to North Bristol or Dings Crusaders on a Sunday, I’m seeing more girls play sports. I love it. I love the things that Ilona and the club have done and it’s such an exciting year, with the Six Nations now leading into the World Cup.”

In Millie David, their 19-year-old winger who is expected to be named in England’s senior Six Nations training squad this week, the Bears have a precocious talent on their hands. With England head coach John Mitchell watching on from the stands, the teenager acrobatically finished an exquisite try – her 17th of the campaign – in the corner to give Bears half a chance late on. “That finish was up there with what I’ve seen in men’s or women’s rugby for how good it was,” said Ward. It will, though, count for nothing given his side’s trophy cabinet lies empty for another season.

Match details

Scoring sequence: 0-5 Atkin-Davies try, 0-10 Atkin-Davies try, 5-10 Perry try, 10-10 Beckett try, 12-10 Sing con, 17-10 Sing try, 19-10 Sing con, 19-15 Maher try, 24-15 Aldcroft try, 26-15 Sing con, 26-20 David try, 31-20 Jones try, 33-20 Sing con, 36-20 Sing pen.

Gloucester-Hartpury: E Sing; M Venner, H Jones (R Lund 74), T Heard (M Hyett 74), P Hendy; L George, N Hunt (M Davies 78); E Perry (M Carson 52), N Jones (Gillian Boag 78), M Muir (K Buggy 44), S Beckett, Z Aldcroft, K Williams (S Else 78), B Lewis (G Brock 52), A Matthews.

Bristol Bears: C Keight, J Joyce-Butchers, P Murray, A Reed (M Varley 61), I Maher (M David 50), H Aitchison, K Bevan (F Lewis 77); H Botterman (R Marston-Mulhearn 50), L Atkin-Davies (H Phillips 77) S Bern (Elliann Clarke 77) Hollie Cunningham (D Burns 77), A Ward, A Joyce-Butchers, C Balogun (S Pam 41), E Gallagher.

Sin-bin: Gallagher (39).

Referee: Alex Thomas.

04:56 PM GMT

FULL TIME: Gloucester-Hartpury 36- 20 Bristol

And that’s that. GH make their last few changes and do an efficient job in winding the clock down. They’re into their third successive PWR final and Queensholm pays tribute to Sean Lynn, who has overseen his last home game. His side will take on Saracens in the final on March 16. 
 

04:43 PM GMT

73 mins Gloucester-Hartpury 36- 20 Bristol

It’s all beginning to fall apart for Bristol as Aitchison attempts to dink a high ball over the GH defence but one of her own has strayed offside in front of the ball. Sing steps up to take the pen and slices the uprights cleanly.

04:37 PM GMT

62 mins TRY! Gloucester-Hartpury 33 – 20 Bristol

The momentum swings back as Hannah Jones cuts inside to keep the scoreboard pressure ticking over. It’s a brilliant show and go from the outside centre to break the line. She rounds the last defender to take the hosts past 30 points, as Sing adds the extras.
 

04:33 PM GMT

62 mins TRY! Gloucester-Hartpury 26 – 20 Bristol

Bristol hit back! They pour forward and plunder a score through Millie David, their replacement winger who is on for Maher, who is having an absolute lighting season. Bristol spread it quickly from a lineout – with Bern and Atkin-Davies taking turns to punch some holes – and Murray floats a peach of a pass out wide to the teenager, who gathers cleanly and hurtles towards the line. Somehow she manages to fend off Sing and Venner and acrobatically places it over the tryline. Referee Alexa Thomas goes to the TMO.. and a huge roar from the sizeable Bristol contingent confirm the try is good. What. A. Finish.
That’s her 17th try this season. Scary to think she’s only 19. 
 

04:26 PM GMT

58 mins TRY! Gloucester-Hartpury 26 – 15 Bristol

GH are turning the screw now.. It’s none other than their taliswoman, Zoe Aldcroft, who barges over the whitewash from close range. Mo Hunt’s distribution has been exquisite today. GH spread the ball quickly from a lineout metres inside the Bears’ half and Pip Hendy flies down the touchline. She’s eventually scragged but an army of white and red are already closing in. Tat Heard straightens things up with a direct assault as she heads for under the uprights but is denied just short. Hunt tracks round and spins the ball out to newly crowned England captain Aldcroft, who needs no second invitation. Sing adds the extras. 

04:19 PM GMT

54 mins Gloucester-Hartpury 19 – 15 Bristol

Bristol win another pen after Beckett tackles a player without the ball but Aitchison uncharacteristically coughs up a big error – she’s overcooked her touchfinder and GH get a reprieve with a scrum. They launch an attack and Sing blitzes down the wing but is bundled into touch

04:14 PM GMT

50 mins Gloucester-Hartpury 19 – 15 Bristol

Both teams ring front-row changes and you can feel the excitement levels crank up in The Shed. GH make their first real foray into the red zone this half and look for joy down the short side through Beckett, but Evie Gallagher, back on the field after her yellow, scrags a huge turnover. 
 

04:09 PM GMT

45 mins TRY! Gloucester-Hartpury 19 – 15 Bristol

Bristol win their third scrum penalty of the game – it’s Pam who’s locking down at blindside flanker – and they boot the ball downfield. Bristol work it out wide but have no joy down the wing as Keight is hauled to ground but Bevan recycles quickly and feeds Pam, working up a head of steam, nutmegs two GH players to burst through a gap! She falls inches short but Bevan feeds Murray, who in turn finds Maher on her shoulder for a simple dot down. Bears are right back in it!

04:00 PM GMT

41 mins Gloucester-Hartpury 19 – 10 Bristol

We’re underway again. Bears have brought on Simi Pam for Cristiana Balogun which is interesting, because that means either she, Sarah Bern, Hannah Botterman or Lark Atkin-Davies will shift to the second-row. You suspect it’s Pam, who usually plays prop, who’ll be the chosen candidate.

03:50 PM GMT

HALF TIME: Gloucester-Hartpury 19 – 10 Bristol

Like yesterday’s semi between Saracens and Harlequins, it’s been a high-octane encounter so far. Bristol stunned the reigning champions with their two-try lead – both scored by hooker Lark Atkin-Davies – and had the hosts under the cosh. But Sean Lynn’s side have weathered that early storm to respond with three unanswered tries and crucially, have the lead at the break. 

03:47 PM GMT

40 mins TRY! Gloucester-Hartpury 17 – 10 Bristol

The hosts have a third try and they’re well and truly up and running now. They look to dot down from their lineout maul but it doesn’t quite work this time, so Hunt fires it out among the backs. Tat Heard makes some metres before a peach of a pass from George finds Sing out wide – Bristol’s defence is too narrow – and the England fullback races clean through! She converts her own score, and that’s the end of the half. 
 

03:44 PM GMT

39 mins – YELLOW CARD – Gloucester-Hartpury 12 – 10 Bristol

GH are clicking into gear now – Pip Hendy tiptoes her way through a load of bodies and is caught high by Evie Gallagher. There’s zero hesitation from referee Alexa Thomas – the Scotland back row is sent to the bin!
 

03:40 PM GMT

36 mins TRY! Gloucester-Hartpury 12 – 10 Bristol

The hosts draw level! Maud Muir tramples through a gappy Bears defence and the hosts recycle efficiently – Hunt fizzes out a laser sharp pass from the ruck which beats about three white shirts to George who is denied just short. But Hunt tracks round and ships out a quick ball to Sarah Beckett – bypassing Aldcroft – and the big back-rower crashes down. Sing nails a difficult touchline conversion.

03:35 PM GMT

31 mins Gloucester-Hartpury 5 – 10 Bristol

El Perry involved again as she scrags a turnover from the restart just inside Bristol’s half. You feel the hosts are beginning to feel their way into this game.
 

03:32 PM GMT

28 mins TRY! Gloucester-Hartpury 5 – 10 Bristol

GH force the knock on just outside the 22 from the restart and Alex Matthews picks up from the back of an efficient scrum to storm into Bristol territory. The first opportunity for The Circus to fire a shot in attack and they make it count! Slick hands finds El Perry, and the GH mum crashes over. Great response from the hosts, who have been way off their lofty standards in this opening quarter.

03:29 PM GMT

25 mins TRY! Gloucester-Hartpury 0 – 10 Bristol

Bristol are on the attack again and Heard tries to disrupt their attack, the ball is loose and Aitchison gathers and puts through a grubber to put the GH defence under further pressure. Sing and Venner scamper back but are all at sea – Aitchison races through and tries threatens to pounce.. GH force a Bristol lineout five metres out. Bristol chuck the ball in and get their lineout drive chugging.. And Atkin-Davies is over again!

03:27 PM GMT

23 mins Gloucester-Hartpury 0 – 5 Bristol

Bristol are on the attack again and Heard tries to disrupt their attack, the ball is loose and Aitchison gathers and puts through a grubber to put the GH defence under further pressure. Sing and Venner scamper back but are all at sea – Aitchison races through and tries threatens to pounce and GH force a Bristol line-out five metres out.. 
 

03:23 PM GMT

20 mins Gloucester-Hartpury 0 – 5 Bristol

George spots some space behind the Bristol defence and dinks the ball over but we’ll come back for a GH penalty – Atkin-Davies is penalised for a neck roll on Alex Matthews. The hosts have barely seen any of the ball and have been pretty toothless in attack thus far.
 

03:19 PM GMT

15 mins TRY! Gloucester-Hartpury 0 – 5 Bristol

Bristol get the breakthrough! They get the penalty after GH are penalised for repeated infringements and Aitchison taps it into the far corner. They launch their line-out maul and Lark Atkin-Davies rumbles over. You can’t say they don’t deserve it. They’ve put the hosts under enormous pressure. 
 

03:16 PM GMT

12 mins Gloucester-Hartpury 0 – 0 Bristol

Bristol spill GH have the put in at the scrum but make a mess of it  and a Bears shirt sticks a foot on it and hacks the ball upfield. Again, GH fail to deal with the danger and some fine work from Maher and Murray force Hunt to cough up possession. They begin stressing GH’s defence – Bern makes a flurry of barnstorming carries – and begin knocking on the door. 

03:10 PM GMT

8 mins Gloucester-Hartpury 0 – 0 Bristol

The hosts almost win a scrum pen after getting a huge shove on, but are penalised for losing their bind and Bristol survive. Aitchison could have made more with her touchfinder there. The Bears aren’t making inroads with their possession so she hooks a ball towards the corner and Sing and Venner are caught dilly dallying. Bristol rush up and scrag the pair and charge down Sing. The hosts invited that pressure, before George takes control and clears downfield. 

03:03 PM GMT

2 mins Gloucester-Hartpury 0 – 0 Bristol

We’re underway and Sing launches a spiral into the skies which is safely gathered by Aitchison. The Red Roses flyhalf goes on a bit of a meandering run before being brought down. It’s been a solid start for the Bears who try to work the ball to the edges but Phoebe Murray’s pass to Maher outside her doesn’t go to plan, but GH knock on. 
 

02:54 PM GMT

Could this be Sean Lynn’s last game?

The GH head coach will take over Wales for their Women’s Six Nations later this month. 

02:35 PM GMT

A juicy West Country derby awaits

02:33 PM GMT

All eyes on Queensholm

02:32 PM GMT

Maher starts on wing for Bristol

Jasmine Joyce-Butchers returns to action for  Bristol Bears. The Wales and GB Sevens star is named on the wing for the re-run of last season’s final, as Dave Ward makes just one change for the West Country derby. Courtney Keight continues at full back after another impressive display against Harlequins in Round 17, while Player of the Match Christiana Balogun keeps her place on the openside flank. Hannah Botterman, Lark Atkin-Davies and Sarah Bern complete an all-England front row, while Amber Reed and Abbie Ward co-captain the side once again.

Bristol Bears Courtney Keight, Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, Phoebe Murray, Amber Reed, Ilona Maher, Holly Aitchison, Keira Bevan; Hannah Botterman, Lark Atkin-Davies, Sarah Bern, Hollie Cunningham, Abbie Ward, Alisha Joyce-Butchers, Christiana Balogun, Evie Gallagher. 

Replacements: Holly Phillips, Simi Pam, Elliann Clarke, Delaney Burns, Row Marston-Mulhearn, Ffion Lewis, Meg Varley, Millie David

02:30 PM GMT

Gloucester-Hartpury team news

Gloucester Hartpury have named the same backline that started in their victorious 2024 PWR final. Emma Sing starts at full-back and is flanked by Mia Venner and Pip Hendy on the wings. The experienced partnership of Hannah Jones and Tatyana Heard start are set to start in the centres.

Natasha ‘Mo’ Hunt and Lleucu George line up at number nine and ten to complete a star-studded backline. Hunt will share the captain’s responsibilities with Zoe Aldcroft.

In the pack, El Perry comes into the starting XV and is joined by Neve Jones and Maud Muir in the front row. Muir is set for her first appearance in Cherry and White since the two side’s last meeting in January.

Sarah Beckett and Aldcroft start in the locks. Sarah Beckett is in red hot form of late, securing the Player of the Match award in the last two outings for the club.

Kate Williams, Bethan Lewis, and Alex Matthews take the back row spots to cap off a formidable Gloucester Hartpury pack.

Gloucester-Hartpury Emma Sing, Mia Venner, Hannah Jones, Tatyana Heard, Pip Hendy; Lleucu George, Natasha ‘Mo’ Hunt; El Perry, Neve Jones, Maud Muir, Sarah Beckett, Zoe Aldcroft, Kate Williams, Bethan Lewis, Alex Matthews. 

Replacements: Gillian Boag, Mackenzie Carson, Kathryn Buggy, Steph Else, Georgia Brock, Meg Davies, Millie Hyett, Rachel Lund. 

02:27 PM GMT

Good afternoon

Hello and welcome to our live Premiership Women’s Rugby semi-final coverage of Gloucester-Hartpury v Bristol Bears.

It’s a beautifully crisp day at Kingsholm, which has aptly been renamed ‘Queensholm’ for today’s play-off clash as Gloucester-Hartpury aim to reach a third PWR final in as many years.

Gloucester have pulled out all the stops for this one. We’re expecting an attendance of over 5,000 and Bristol have even laid on supporter buses, so we’re in for a bumper crowd. The Bears will need every away fan in their corner if they are to cause an upset and put an end to Gloucester-Hartpury’s hegemony.

The Cherry and Whites topped the table at the end of the regular season and are the overwhelming favourites to book their place in the PWR final on March 16, where they will face Saracens, who edged past Harlequins yesterday in a tense battle at the Stonex.

Bristol, who have had more eyeballs on them ever before with their blockbuster signing of Ilona Maher, squeezed into the play-offs after a bitty season which saw them suffer a spate of injuries. Maher starts on the wing today, in what could be her last game for the club.  

Bristol women’s profile has skyrocketed since signing social media star Maher – rugby’s most followed social media player – at the start of the year. The Bears’ women’s Instagram following has quadrupled and over the weekend hit a dizzying 100,000 followers, while the club set a new women’s record at Ashton Gate last month.

Dave Ward, Bristol’s head coach, said in the build up his team were ready to embrace their underdog tag, but even he knows social media followings and online engagement will count for nothing if his side don’t make the final two.

Stay with us for all the action. 

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