Premiership Women's Rugby: Saracens, Gloucester-Hartpury, Sale, Exeter win
- Published
Zoe Harrison excelled with conversions as Saracens won for a second successive week
Zoe Harrison inspired Saracens to a 52-18 win against Trailfinders Women to make it two wins from two in Premiership Women's Rugby.
Harrison converted five of Saracens' eight tries and scored one herself after Ella Wywras and May Campbell crossed early for the visitors at Trailfinders Sports Club.
England skipper Marlie Packer went over to give Sarries a deserved half-time lead before Sophie Bridger dictated the attack that saw her cross for her first try in black.
Jess Breach scored a spectacular sixth for Saracens but Trailfinders then hit back with two Abby Dow tries either side of a score from Sydney Gregson.
Sophie de Goede went over for the final try of the game, converting her effort to round out a comprehensive win for the three-time champions.
Eight-try Gloucester-Hartpury soared to the first Women's Slater Cup with a 52-14 win over Leicester Tigers. The defending champions crossed six times in the first half with Georgia Brock, Kelly Taylor, El Perry and Sarah Beckett sewing up the bonus point inside 16 minutes.
Emma Sing was flawless from the tee in the first 40, converting all six scores as she grabbed the final try of the half having also converted Mia Venner's first score. Venner dotted down in the second half to complete her brace after Neve Jones had become the seventh name on the scoresheet.
Tigers rallied late on with Tess Feury scoring on her first start before Meg Jones converted her score.
Sale Sharks held on to secure an impressive 35-31 victory over Harlequins at Corpacq Stadium. An enthralling first half began with Vicky A Irwin latching onto a Beatrice Rigoni chip to open the scoring before Jade Konkel hit back having been set up by Ellie Kildunne.
Momentum swung again as Morwenna Talling drove over, only for Abbie Fleming to dot down from a driving maul.
Rigoni redressed the balance again as she intercepted a pass and sprinted from the halfway line.
Quins came out flying in the second half as Aseza Hele crossed for her first try but Sale were not to be beaten as they scored from a driving maul. Talling's second moved the hosts further in front only for Quins to keep themselves in it with scores from Izzy Mayhew and Babalwa Latsha.
Sharks were not to be denied on a bitterly cold night at Heywood Road as they held on for a famous win.
On Sunday, Exeter Chiefs maintained their winning start to the season with a 29-14 victory over rivals Bristol Bears.
The visitors started the stronger of the two, picking up early points when Gabriella Nigrelli powered over from close range.
However, the Chiefs were quick to respond and eventually made their pressure count as Emily Tuttosi touched down off the back of a rolling maul to draw the sides level.
Soon after Rachel Johnson battled her way over the line to put Exeter ahead right before the break. Not satisfied with her first half try, the USA international scored another fewer than three minutes into the second half to extend Exeter's advantage.
The Bears quickly turned up the pressure and responded through Sarah Bern, but Claudia MacDonald crossed in the corner to confirm the bonus-point win for Exeter.
Results
Saturday
Trailfinders 18-52 Saracens
Gloucester-Hartpury 52-14 Leicester Tigers
Sale Sharks 35-31 Harlequins
Sunday
Exeter Chiefs 29-14 Bristol Bears
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