Gloucester-Hartpury claim third straight PWR title

Gloucester-Hartpury (15) 34

Tries: Williams, Sing, Venner, Muir, N Jones, Hunt Cons: Sing 2

Saracens (19) 19

Tries: Breach, Penalty, Sharp Cons: Harrison

Gloucester-Hartpury laid down a dominant second-half performance to beat Saracens at the StoneX Stadium and win their third Premiership Women's Rugby title in a row.

Sarries, who were playing at their home ground, led 19-5 through scores from Jess Breach and Lotte Sharp, either side of a penalty try.

Kate Williams, Emma Sing and Mia Venner crossed for the visitors before the break, and forwards Maud Muir, Neve Jones and co-captain Natasha 'Mo' Hunt then added tries as the visitors scored 29 unanswered points.

The result gives Gloucester boss Sean Lynn the perfect send-off as he departs the club to take on his role with the Wales national team.

Gloucester-Hartpury co-captains Natasha 'Mo' Hunt and Zoe Aldcroft lift the PWR Trophy

Champions fight back with second-half show

In a breathless opening 20 minutes, Gloucester-Hartpury led through Williams' early score before Saracens took control with three quick tries.

Breach's converted score put Sarries ahead before Gloucester co-captain Hunt was sent to the sin-bin after conceding a penalty try.

Sharp crossed to make it 19-5 to Saracens, but Sing dotted down in the corner as the visitors replied, just in time for Hunt to be reintroduced.

Venner's score on the opposite side reduced the gap to four points and although the champions missed a chance to retake the lead at the end of the half, they were in total control after the break.

The power of their pack began to show in the second half as Muir dived between the posts and Jones dotted down at the back of the maul to open up an eight-point lead.

Fully in control, Gloucester-Hartpury shut out Sarries despite having Alex Matthews sent to the sin-bin.

And when Hunt drove over with just over 10 minutes remaining, it felt like the try that sealed a third consecutive title.

Maud Muir ran in Gloucester-Hartpury's fourth try of the match as they won a third Premiership Women's Rugby title in a row

A 'dream come true' for Lynn's final farewell

Gloucester-Hartpury head of rugby Sean Lynn told BBC Radio 5 Live:

"We just weren't us in the first half, we just didn't perform. But full credit to Saracens, we knew what they were going to bring and they came out and delivered that 40.

"I've heard that the girls said I've put a rocket into them at half-time. That's why I'm so proud of these girls, they react so well. I said we need more energy, let's do what we take pride in.

"It's a dream come true [to win our third title], honestly. To have so many friends and family with me, it's an amazing experience.

"We've achieved so much, and to finish it off with three years in a row winning the PWR, it's a surreal moment."

On taking on the Wales role: "I'm in camp tomorrow 9am. So I'll be in my car at half past 7 and (it's the) Six Nations on Saturday against Scotland."

Saracens Women's director of rugby Alex Austerberry told BBC Radio London:

"Credit to Gloucester, they took the game away from us and we just couldn't quite find a way or a foothold into the game.

"If you invite that much pressure you're going to creak and concede points in the game.

"Unfortunately we did, but I thought some of the rugby we played in the first half was outstanding.

"I'll have a little shot at some of the critics out there - that's why we deserved to be in the final. We earned that opportunity and for 40 minutes we gave a really good account and even for the second 40, we stayed in the fight, we just didn't quite have enough to get over the line."

Gloucester-Hartpury: Sing; Venner, H Jones, Heard, Hendy; George, Hunt; Perry, N Jones, Muir, Beckett, Aldcroft, Williams, Lewis, Matthews.

Replacements: Boag, Carson, Buggy, Else, Brock, Davies, Green, Lund.

Sin-bin: Hunt (15), Matthews (52).

Saracens: Breach; Corrigan, Hardy, Bridger, Sharp; Harrison, Wyrwas; Gondwe, Campbell, Clifford, Galligan, Evans, Senft, Packer, P Cleall.

Replacements: Field, Hunt, Tremelling, B Cleall, McMillan, Sellors, McKellon, Gregson.

Referee: Joe James