Premier 15s: Bristol Bears move top of the table after bonus-point win
- Published
Bristol Bears women beat Wasps 36-17 at Shaftesbury Park
Bristol Bears moved back to the top of the Premier 15s table after a 36-17 bonus-point win over Wasps to continue their unbeaten start to the season.
Alisha Butchers, Courtney Keight and Kayleigh Powell all crossed early on to help Bristol lead 19-10 at the break.
Maud Muir's try on 48 minutes cut the lead to ensure a tense finish
But Hannah West eased the Bristol nerves with a try seven minutes later before Keight and Powell scored again to secure the victory.
It means Bristol are a point clear of Saracens who needed a last-gasp penalty from Zoe Harrison to give them a dramatic 24-21 win over Gloucester-Hartpury on Saturday and make it six wins out of six.
Saracens had trailed 21-14 entering the final minutes of the game, having led 14-0 at the break.
But a try from Saracens captain Marlie Packer, which Harrison converted, levelled it up.
And with the last play of the match, they were awarded a penalty in front of the posts which Harrison kicked to move her side to the top of the table.
Saracens had made a solid start with Ella Wyrwas and Hannah Botterman, on her 50th appearance, both scoring in the opening 40 minutes.
But second-half scores from Rachel Lund, Connie Powell and Tatyana Herd had put Gloucester-Hartpury in contention for their third win from six games before they were denied at the death.
Elsewhere, Harlequins ran out comfortable 36-10 winners over Sale Sharks with two tries apiece for Ellie Kildunne and Jade Konkel while Exeter Chiefs defeated Loughborough Lightning 14-7.
The game between Darlington Mowden Park Sharks and Worcester Warriors was postponed because of weather conditions.
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