Bristol go fourth in PWR with win against Exeter
American Ilona Maher made her debut for Bristol Bears in January
- Published
Bristol Bears moved up to fourth place in the Premiership Women's Rugby and boosted their play-off hopes with a comfortable 45-17 victory over Exeter Chiefs.
Four first-half tries at Ashton Gate secured Bristol an early bonus point.
Exeter, who slip from fourth to fifth, are three points behind Bristol with a game in hand.
Bristol hooker Lark Atkin-Davies scored a hat-trick of tries, Olympic bronze medallist Ilona Maher added two and scrum-half Keira Bevan and lock Abbie Ward were also on the scoresheet.
American Maher, 28, signed for Bristol on a three-month deal in December to help her chances of making the US team for the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup this summer.
Also on Saturday, Trailfinders took a step towards a top-six finish by beating bottom side Sale Sharks 33-20.
Tries by Kate Zackary, Grace White and Abi Burton, plus two by Julia Schell, secured a bonus point win for the visitors.
Trailfinders are two points behind sixth-placed Loughborough Lightning with a game in hand.