PWR Round 11 Review: Harlequins go top of the table, Gloucester-Hartpury down Chiefs and Saracens beat Bears in a thriller

Harlequins seized the initiative in Round 11 by beating Leicester Tigers in Big Game 16 having watched Exeter Chiefs lose their unbeaten record.

In the traditional post-Christmas showpiece, Quins delighted a bumper Allianz Stadium crowd by scoring five first-half tries and running out 42-17 winners.

The rest of Round 11 took place before Christmas and Gloucester-Hartpury were in clinical mood at Sandy Park, winning 41-12 to move level on points with their hosts at the summit, a point clear of Saracens, who beat Bristol Bears in a tight encounter.

At the other end, Loughborough Lightning gave themselves breathing space at the foot of the table with a 50-7 win at bottom side Sale Sharks.

Here's how the action played out...

Harlequins 42-17 Leicester Tigers - Allianz Stadium Twickenham

HQ was rocking as Harlequins made it six PWR victories on the spin with a clinical victory over Leicester Tigers.

The league leaders were given an early scare when Meg Jones crossed the whitewash on seven minutes but Claudia Pena, Connie Powell and Kayleigh Powell all responded with tries inside the half-hour mark.

Tigers figurehead Jones was sin-binned and Lisa Neumann took charge to wrap up the try bonus point well before the half-time whistle.

Ellie Kildunne dotted down twice in four second-half minutes to thrill the bumper crowd and add further sheen to the scoreline.

Tigers, however, continued to throw punches as Emily Henrich scored her first PWR try and Keia Mae Sagapolu Sanele dived over on her return to league action.

Harlequins 42

Tries: Claudia Pena (2), Ellie Kildunne (2), Carys Phillips, Connie Powell, Kayleigh Powell, Lisa Neumann

Leicester Tigers 17

Tries: Meg Jones, Emily Henrich, Keia Mae Sagapolu Sanele

Exeter Chiefs 12-41 Gloucester-Hartpury - Sandy Park

Reigning champions Gloucester-Hartpury laid down a marker at Sandy Park as a seven-try display inflicted a first defeat of the season on leaders Exeter Chiefs.

FULL TIME

How good?! 🤩

A big statement win from Gloucester-Hartpury as we take a massive bonus point win on the road. Huge shift from the girls! 🔥

⚔️ 12 - 41 🍒 | #EXEvGLO pic.twitter.com/7nVNJrfLtP

— Gloucester-Hartpury (@gloshartpury) December 21, 2024

The hosts had eight wins from as many matches heading into the encounter and started strongly, only to be held at bay by superb defence from the visitors.

Gloucester-Hartpury then showed their ruthless side, with Mia Venner scoring an excellent solo opener before playing a part in the build-up as Pip Hendy crossed for their second.

Bethan Lewis finished another incisive move and Hendy's second ensured the Circus had the bonus point wrapped up with six minutes of the first half still to play.

Gloucester used those minutes to add another score, Venner dotting down to take the advantage to 29-0 at the break.

Neve Jones benefited from a rolling maul to add her side's sixth try before Exeter got themselves on the scoreboard in similar fashion, Maddie Feaunati powering over.

The visitors responded through Hannah Jones and, though Chiefs had the last word through Charli Jacoby, Gloucester-Hartpury were able to celebrate a festive victory which could prove decisive.

Exeter Chiefs 12

Tries: Maddie Feaunati, Charli Jacoby

Gloucester-Hartpury 41

Tries: Mia Venner (2), Pip Hendy (2), Bethan Lewis, Neve Jones, Hannah Jones

Saracens 33-24 Bristol Bears - StoneX Stadium

May Campbell crossed twice and Zoe Harrison marked her 100th appearance with a try as Saracens came from behind to beat Bristol Bears in a thriller at StoneX Stadium.

Bears flew out the traps in North London and were 14-0 up inside 12 minutes thanks to tries from Rownita Marston-Mulhearn and Abbie Ward, both of which were converted by Holly Aitchison.

Sarries roared back with the help of their driving maul, with Campbell reducing the deficit before McKinley Hunt profited in similar circumstances to draw the hosts level.

Kelsey Clifford’s converted try put Saracens in front but Bristol narrowed the gap to just two points at the interval through Lark Atkin-Davies’ score.

The Westcountry outfit went back in front just after the hour mark through Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, who received a fine Aitchison pass and sprinted over.

Their lead lasted just two minutes, however, as centurion Harrison crossed in the corner to put the home side 26-24 to the good.

Who else but @zoeharrison123 to provide the match winner! 🤩#YourSaracens 💫 https://t.co/wXU1JFloup pic.twitter.com/XADR6gcD8e

— Saracens Women (@SaracensWomen) December 21, 2024

Campbell’s second try made the game safe, with a late Aitchison penalty sliding wide as Bears left without a losing bonus point.

Saracens 33

Tries: May Campbell (2), McKinley Hunt, Kelsey Clifford, Zoe Harrison

Bristol Bears 24

Tries: Rownita Marston-Mulhearn, Abbie Ward, Lark Atkin-Davies, Jasmine Joyce-Butchers

Sale Sharks 7-50 Loughborough Lightning - CorpAcq Stadium

A dazzling four-try display from Krissy Scurfield set Loughborough Lightning on their way to an impressive win at Sale Sharks.

Hooker Kathryn Treder got the visitors up and running at CorpAcq Stadium, barrelling over after a rolling maul, before the pace of Scurfield saw her cross twice in quick succession to stretch the lead to 19-0.

Sharks had the final word in the first half, Iona Antwis crossing after a pick-and-go following a yellow card for Hallie Taufoou which left Lightning down to 14.

But Loughborough turned on the style after the break, Alev Kelter securing the bonus point before Treder crossed for her second.

Scurfield then sealed her hat-trick and, following a try for Christine Belisle, the electric winger brought up her side’s half-century with her fourth score of the afternoon.

Sale Sharks 7

Tries: Iona Antwis

Loughborough Lightning 50

Tries: Kathryn Treder (2), Krissy Scurfield (4), Alev Kelter, Christine Belisle

𝙅𝙄𝙉𝙂𝙇𝙀 𝘽𝙀𝙇𝙇𝙎! 𝙅𝙄𝙉𝙂𝙇𝙀 𝘽𝙀𝙇𝙇𝙎! 𝙊𝙝 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙛𝙪𝙣 𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙇𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮!

It’s all over here as Loughborough finish the year with a big victory at the CorpAcq Stadium.

🦈 7-50 ⚡ #SALvLOU | #PoweredDifferently pic.twitter.com/5FgHiMlwBn

— Loughborough Lightning Rugby ⚡️ (@LightningRugby) December 21, 2024