Bristol Bears earn play-off boost with victory over Exeter Chiefs as Trailfinders win at Sale Sharks

Bristol Bears powered back into the top four with a thundering win over closest rivals Exeter Chiefs in the West Country derby.

A hat-trick of tries by Lark Atkin-Davies and two for Ilona Maher provided plenty of reason to celebrate for the home crowd at Ashton Gate as Bears surged to a 45-17 victory.

It provides a huge boost for their hopes of play-off qualification but means Saracens will have to wait another week at least to confirm their spot in the top four.

Trailfinders Women also took big strides towards a top six finish as they delivered a commanding 20-33 victory on the road against Sale Sharks.

Julia Schell bagged two tries as they closed the gap to Loughborough Lightning while still boasting a game in hand over the East Midlands outfit.

This assist from Sarah Bern 🤌

The @BristolBearsW front row finds space and sends Keira Bevan on her way untouched 🔥#PWR #PoweredDifferently @rugbyontnt pic.twitter.com/A5K25iconO

— Premiership Women's Rugby (@ThePWR) February 8, 2025

Saturday 8 February

Bristol Bears 45-17 Exeter Chiefs - Ashton Gate

Bristol Bears made home advantage count in their push for the play-offs as they secured an important victory in fashion against Exeter Chiefs.

Bears got off the mark early at Ashton Gate as Sarah Bern found a gap in the Exeter line to break into space and send Keira Bevan through after just five minutes.

But it was only Bevan’s own conversion that kept the hosts ahead when Hope Rogers powered through the Bears’ defence to put Chiefs back in reach in the 17th minute.

Bears only had to wait five minutes before Maher stormed to a try in the left corner to restore their advantage.

A further two tries before the break for Atkin-Davies, both converted by Amber Reed, put the hosts well in control at half-time.

They showed no remorse after the break either as Maher went over once more before Atkin-Davies secured a hat-trick of tries to put the hosts out of sight.

While Flo Robinson and Abbie Ward exchanged tries before Georgina Tasker added a third for the visitors, Chiefs could not salvage a bonus point.

Bristol Bears 45

Tries: Keira Bevan, Ilona Maher (2), Lark Atkin-Davies (3), Abbie Ward

Exeter Chiefs 17

Tries: Hope Rogers, Flo Robinson, Georgina Tasker

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Sale Sharks 20-33 Trailfinders Women - CorpAcq Stadium (Heywood Road)

Trailfinders made the most of one of their games in hand as they secured a bonus point win on the road against Sale Sharks.

A hesitant start from the visitors saw Sharks pick up the first points as Vicky Irwin was awarded a penalty goal, but Julia Schell was quick to respond, touching down to put Trailfinders ahead for the first time.

It would stay that way, too, as Kate Zackary benefitted from Lisa Thompson's break to extend the visitors’ lead with the first try of the match.

Sharks pulled a try back through Olivia Ortiz but a near-immediate response from Grace White ensured Trailfinders were in control at half-time.

The hosts sought to find a way back into the match after the break as a driving maul helped Scarlett Fielding over the line.

But Trailfinders proved equal to their efforts as Abi Burton provided another try for the visitors, meaning Erica Jarrell’s late addition to the scoreline was not enough to earn any points for the hosts.

Sale Sharks 20

Tries: Olivia Ortiz, Scarlett Fielding, Erica Jarrell

Trailfinders Women 33

Tries: Julia Schell (2), Kate Zackary, Grace White, Abi Burton