ALLIANZ PREMIERSHIP WOMEN'S RUGBY: ROUND 15 REVIEW

Exeter Chiefs and Bristol Bears confirmed their Allianz Premiership Women's Rugby play-off semi-final spots as the league thrilled in a sizzling Round 15 return.

Susie Appleby's side triumphed 40-10 over Trailfinders Women despite two late Abby Dow tries at Trailfinders Sports Club.

Harlequins' Shaunagh Brown marked her 100th cap in the Quarters with a try as her side overcame Leicester Tigers 47-12 at Twickenham Stoop.

And Saracens held off a determined Sale Sharks performance to emerge 54-21 winners under the StoneX Stadium sunshine.

Despite a valiant effort from Loughborough, reigning champions Gloucester-Hartpury triumphed 61-26 at Franklin’s Gardens to continue their unbeaten run.

Saracens 54 - 21 Sale Sharks

StoneX Stadium

Jess Breach's first-half brace powered Saracens to a 54-21 win over Sale Sharks at StoneX Stadium.

The visitors got out of the blocks quick but two tries from Breach in the opening six minutes ensured Saracens had the early advantage.

Zoe Harrison drew the defence in before feeding Sophie Bridger for the third as May Campbell wrapped up the bonus point inside 15 minutes with her score.

Niamh Swailes soon hit back for Sale after consistent Sharks phases but Akina Gondwe found a reply for Saracens, going over from a brilliant maul before the break.

After half-time Tysh Harper forced her way over the line to reduce the deficit before Sian Jones darted over in the 58th minute and Vicky Irwin added the extras to make it a 12-point game.

Donna Rose settled any second-half Saracens nerves after some patient play on Sharks’ line in the 66th minute.

And Sydney Gregson and Georgia Evans wrapped up the win in the closing stages with a try each to convincingly close the clash.

Harlequins 47 - 12 Leicester Tigers

Twickenham Stoop

Harlequins kept Leicester Tigers at bay at Twickenham Stoop with a 47-12 win on their return to the Allianz Premiership Rugby stage.

Amy Layzell struck early for Harlequins following an attack from the lineout as Ella Cromack found her with a lifted pass.

On her hundredth appearance for the club, Shaunagh Brown charged over from close range before Cromack added the extras to double the hosts’ lead.

Francesca McGhie flew over for Tigers’ opener following a slick move from a scrum from five metres but Connie Powell hit back 11 minutes later when she dotted down.

After the break, Lisa Neumann offloaded to Cromack who secured The Quarters’ bonus point in the 58th minute but McGhie soon doubled her tally with a lightning-quick move on the wing.

Danelle Lochner extended the hosts’ lead with her first try for the club as Cromack was on target from the kick before Izzy Mayhew added another.

Aseza Hele closed the bonus-point victory after Emily Scott broke through with a storming run before offloading.

Trailfinders Women 10 - 40 Exeter Chiefs

Trailfinders Sports Club

Exeter Chiefs secured their Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby play-off semi-final spot on the road with a 40-10 win over Trailfinders Women.

Cliodhna Moloney returned with immediate effect from Guinness Women’s Six Nations duty to go over for Chiefs’ opener in the 11th minute.

A short throw from a lineout from Harriet Millar-Mills set up Maisy Allen who doubled Chiefs’ tally for the afternoon.

Robyn Wilkins and Eilidh Sinclair scored in quick succession early on in the second-half as Moloney secured her brace in the 57th minute from the lineout.

Niamh Orchard made sure Chiefs punched their ticket to the play-off semi-finals in the 70th minute following some brilliant runs from Hannah Sams and Demi Swann.

Abby Dow struck twice at the death, including with the clock in red, for Trailfinders upon her return from the international stage but Exeter Chiefs had already done enough to secure a compelling win.

Loughborough Lightning 26 - 61 Gloucester-Hartpury

Cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens

Gloucester-Hartpury remained unbeaten as they ran in nine tries in a 61-26 victory over Loughborough at Franklin’s Gardens.

The defending champions opened the scoring with Red Rose Tatyana Heard showing her strength to barrel over in the fifth minute.

It didn’t take long for the hosts to respond as former England player Laura Keates was set up nicely by Emily Scarratt to pick up the ball and dive over from short range.

Gloucester replied through Alex Matthews before Maja Meuller found Lightning’s second, but the visitors claimed three further tries through Matthews, Natasha ‘Mo’ Hunt and Heard before the break.

Tries from Laura Delgado, Steph Else and a Neve Jones brace secured a dominant victory for the unbeaten side despite Meuller and Cath O’Donnell claiming second half scores for Lightning.

This result means Bristol Bears have confirmed their place in this season’s semi-finals.