PWR Round 9 Review: Saracens sizzle as Burton bags a treble and Gloucester-Hartpury return to form

Saracens and Trailfinders Women both chalked up bonus-point wins on a weather-impacted weekend of Premiership Women’s Rugby action.

Storm Darragh forced a postponement to Bristol Bears’ clash with league-leaders Exeter Chiefs, meaning new signing Ilona Maher will have to wait a little longer to be unveiled in front of her new home support.

On Sunday, Gloucester-Hartpury bounced back to winning ways with an impressive win at Loughborough Lightning.

Leicester Tigers 5-38 Saracens – Mattioli Woods Welford Road

Saracens put Leicester Tigers to the sword in a convincing six-try victory which propelled them into second place.

Kelsey Clifford powered over inside two minutes after a stunning break from debutant Fancy Bermudez to set Saracens on their way.

Wing Bermudez was again impressive when teeing up skipper Lotte Sharp for a quick second, as the visitors assumed a 14-0 lead after just five minutes.

A strong showing on her first start for the club. 👏

As Fancy says, it's about building momentum in the next few weeks...#YourSaracens💫 pic.twitter.com/dEeV3QJRr0

— Saracens Women (@SaracensWomen) December 7, 2024

Gabby Senft registered a third after 12 minutes before the bonus point arrived at the midway point of the half via May Campbell with the hooker touching down from the back of a maul.

Tigers stemmed the tide for a while but a quick-fire double from Sydney Gregson carried Saracens out of Tigers' reach. 

The hosts did at least have something to cheer when Leah Bartlett grabbed a consolation, scoring for the second game in a row after a clearance was charged down. 

Leicester Tigers 5

Scorers: Leah Bartlett

Saracens 38

Scorers: Kelsey Clifford, Lotte Sharp, Gabby Senft, May Campbell, Sydney Gregson (2)

Trailfinders Women 31-5 Sale Sharks – Trailfinders Rugby Club

Abi Burton’s hat-trick inspired Trailfinders Women to an assured 31-5 victory over winless Sale Sharks.

Burton scored the opening try on her return to the side after eight minutes and the Olympian crossed for her second after being teed up by Caity Mattinson.

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 ⚔️

Tune in live 🔗 https://t.co/59xb4gWbAP#TFWvSAL| #FollowTheTrail 💚 pic.twitter.com/UfXQJmVzug

— Trailfinders Women (@TrailfindersW) December 7, 2024

Sharks hit back almost immediately, with Eva Wood going over a couple of phases after an irresistible lineout drive.

But Trailfinders were well in the ascendancy at half time after Emma Taylor powered over from close range, converting her own score to make it 21-5 at the break.

Abby Dow’s try sealed the bonus point shortly after the interval before Burton completed her treble with a pick and go from close range.

Trailfinders Women 31

Scorers: Abi Burton (3), Emma Taylor, Abby Dow

Sale Sharks 5

Scorers: Eva Wood

Loughborough Lightning 7-31 Gloucester-Hartpury, cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens

Gloucester-Hartpury climbed back into the top four with a commanding 31-7 victory away to Loughborough Lightning.

The opening try arrived after five minutes via an unstoppable lineout drive with Neve Jones dotting down before Maud Muir crashed over from close range on 18 minutes.

That was how it remained until half time but it didn’t take long for Gloucester-Hartpury to ease clear after the break with a corner score from Nel Metcalfe and clever snipe from Mo Hunt sealing the all-important bonus-point fourth.

Sisilia Tuipulotu then added a fifth try for the rampant visitors before Lia Green rescued a consolation for Lightning at the death.

Loughborough Lightning 7

Scorers: Lia Green

Gloucester-Hartpury 31

Scorers: Neve Jones, Maud Muir, Nel Metcalfe, Mo Hunt, Sisilia Tuipulotu