PWR semi-final preview: Gloucester-Hartpury v Bristol Bears

Amber Reed knows 'you don't get any second chances' in knockout rugby and believes a strong defence will be crucial when her Bristol Bears side travel to Gloucester-Hartpury in Sunday's PWR semi-final.

Dave Ward’s side travel to Queensholm, home of the reigning champions and end of season table toppers, looking to avenge their 36-24 loss in last season’s PWR final.

Bears finished fourth in the table, earning them a fourth consecutive play-off appearance, and inside centre Reed feels ready for the challenge that will be provided by their opponents on Sunday.

“It's a challenge that we're going to get after," she said. "It being a semi-final definitely gives a bit more spice and you don't get any second chances.

"I said to the team yesterday, it's about growing throughout this week. So, if we get our details right by Sunday, we don't need a second chance, we can go out and execute everything we want to. We're ready for it.”

Speaking about where the game might be won and lost, Reed stressed the importance of stemming any Gloucester-Hartpury momentum in front of their home crowd.

She continued: “Our defence is a massive one. Gloucester [-Hartpury] have got some really good ball carriers and they rely on that momentum game and a really quick ruck to allow Mo [Natasha Hunt] to shine and do what she does.

“Obviously [she’s] a world-class player who loves to play with tempo, loves to have a little look for herself and then put others into space. So, if we can get our defence right, if we can stop the momentum, it makes rugby a much harder game to play on the back foot. That'll be a massive challenge for us.

“Then, just playing in the right areas and trying to minimize our error counts so we don't give them cheap ball. We're a possession-based team. We love to play with the ball. We love to make it exciting, but it's about doing that in the right areas of the pitch as well.”

Reed and her teammates are also striving to ensure this is not Ilona Maher's last game in a Bears shirt.

The American signed a three-month deal in January and Reed praised the impact she’s had both on the squad and the game in general.

“I think the impact that's had on the game as a whole is pretty phenomenal,” added Reed. “She wants to grow the game, but she just wants to make an impact with this squad, and she definitely has.

“She grafts, she's so strong in the gym, works hard, ask questions to know her detail and I think, with all the buzz around it [her arrival], that’s the most impressive thing.

"We've got lots of talented players in this side with lots of youngsters coming through and she's been sharing her experiences with them as well, which is awesome. She's just a class teammate.

“Our ticket sales have dramatically increase from where they were last season, and it would be pretty remiss of me to not give her credit for that too.”

Sunday 2nd March 2025

Gloucester-Hartpury v Bristol Bears - Queensholm Stadium - 3pm

Live on TNT Sports and BBC Sport

Match Officials

Referee: Alexa Thomas

Assistant Referees: Nikki O'Donnell and Calum Howard

TMO: David Rose

Oval Insights

Gloucester-Hartpury

• Emma Sing made nine dominant carries, 191 metres, 61 post-contact metres, beat 14 defenders, and made five clean breaks in Round 18. No player has beaten as many defenders in a match this season as she did last weekend.
• Mia Venner made four clean breaks, 111 metres, beat 11 defenders, and scored a try in Round 18.
• Neve Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury) made a round-high 27 tackles - three of which were dominant - and scored two tries last weekend.

Bristol Bears

• In Round 17, Sarah Bern made the most carries (23), dominant carries (11), and post-contact metres (55). She also beat eight defenders and scored a try.
• Pheobe Murray has made as many carries as any other player this season, a total of 202 and an average of 14 per 80 minutes.
• Millie David has made the most clean breaks (28) and scored the joint-most tries so far this season (16).