PWR Round 13 Review: Gloucester-Hartpury go top as Bears beat Chiefs, including a try for Ilona Maher and Saracens hit a ton

Gloucester-Hartpury moved top of Premiership Women’s Rugby with victory Loughborough Lightning in Round 13.

The defending champions were made to battle but came through to move ahead of Harlequins in the table, while Saracens racked up a century of points in victory over Leicester Tigers.

Bristol Bears rounded off the weekend with a thrilling victory over Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park.

Saturday 11 January

Gloucester-Hartpury 36-19 Loughborough Lightning – Kingsholm

Gloucester-Hartpury moved ahead of Harlequins at the top of the Premiership Women’s Rugby table, but they were pushed hard by Loughborough Lightning.

Sisilia Tuipulotu gave the home side a dream start, but Bulou Mataitoga hit straight back for Lightning.

A fine intercept score for Mia Venner then set the home side on their way, with Lucy Simpson adding another for a 19-5 half-time lead.

FULL TIME

Another five points in the bag! 🤩

🍒 36 - 19 ⚡️ | #GLOvLOU pic.twitter.com/57a2Bvg8ho

— Gloucester-Hartpury (@gloshartpury) January 11, 2025

Lleucu George brought up the bonus point after the break, one of two second-half scores, with Mackenzie Carson also crossing for The Circus.

But Lightning grabbed two more tries of their own, Alev Kelter and then Mataitoga again, although they just missed out on a four-try bonus-point.

With the win, Gloucester-Hartpury go three points clear of Harlequins at the top, although they have now played a game more than the Londoners.

Gloucester-Hartpury

Tries: Tuipulotu, Venner, Simpson, George 2, Carson

Loughborough Lightning

Tries: Mataitoga 2, Kelter

Saracens 100-0 Leicester Tigers – StoneX Stadium

Saracens put on a show for Marlie Packer’s 100th appearance for the club, matching her cap tally with their points score.

Stung by defeat at Loughborough Lightning last time out, Sarries showed their intent from the off, with Leanne Infante getting them up early.

A 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 scoreline for a 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 day!#YourSaracens 💫 pic.twitter.com/lyCK5y3oqS

— Saracens Women (@SaracensWomen) January 11, 2025

They led 48-0 by half-time, including a double for Packer on her landmark day, with Zoe Harrison scoring a hat-trick.

Emma Hardy got two tries, while Sophie Bridger matched Harrison with a hat-trick before Isla Alejandro finished off the scoring with two tries late on as Sarries racked up 16 tries in all with six conversions in the second half from Amelia MacDougall.

Saracens

Tries: Infante, Packer 2, Harrison 3, Hardy 2, Bridger 3, Campbell, Bermudez, Galligan, Alejandro 2

Sunday 12 January

Exeter Chiefs 31-41 Bristol Bears – Sandy Park

Ilona Maher's first Premiership Women's Rugby try helped Bristol Bears to a vital 41-31 victory over Exeter Chiefs.

Bears knew they needed to win to keep their play-off hopes in good order, and started brightly through Phoebe Murray's early try.

Chiefs hit back through Liv McGoverne but a penalty try plus Reneeqa Bonner's finish sent Bears into the break ahead despite Taylor Perry's stunning try just before the break for Chiefs.

Simply unstoppable 💪@ilona_maher powers to her first PWR try for @BristolBearsW 👏

Watch live on @rugbyontnt #PWR #PoweredDifferently pic.twitter.com/U5PaPz5jMH

— Premiership Women's Rugby (@ThePWR) January 12, 2025

Chiefs started the second half brightly, with Claudia MacDonald pouncing on a Bears error in their own 22 but Meg Varley and another penalty try eased Bears' worries.

Maher then got her first try for Bears, powering through two tackles to go over, before Chiefs launched a late comeback through Alex Tessier and another from MacDonald but it was only enough for a bonus point.

Exeter Chiefs

Tries: McGoverne, Perry, MacDonald (2), Tessier

Bristol Bears

Tries: Murray, Penalty Try (2), Bonner, Varley, Maher