Gloucester-Hartpury underlines its title achievements with the defeat of the Harlequins

Emma Sing scored two leaders' 11 attempts and four successful conversions. Photo: Getty Images/Bob Bradford Gloucester-Hartpury 67 Harlequins 14

Another game and another strong reminder that this could be the year of Gloucester-Hartpury. With the end of the Premier 15s season fast approaching, the Harlequin team, which lost its luster in this campaign, has taken a giant leap towards securing a home semi-final.

The ease with which they dealt with their London rival, who won the title here two seasons ago, was frightening. They outclassed the Harlequins in almost every area, effortlessly manipulating their forward strength to get past them in 11 attempts.

The crowd of 2,392 — a record for a single Gloucester-Hartpury league game in Kingsholm — could hardly believe in the fact that a warp is unfolding in front of them. The Cherries and Whites covered 1,149 meters, trailing 371 Harlequins, and for a team of mostly English, Welsh and Irish players returning from a grueling Six Nations women's tournament, they looked surprisingly fresh.

“After the Six Nations, I gave them all a week off,” said Sean Lynn, Gloucester-Hartpury head coach. “I told them to get on a plane and go on vacation, even if it was only for three nights, to recharge their batteries, because we have a big five weeks ahead of us.”

To illustrate Gloucester Hartpury's stunning progress, they finished sixth last year after winning only half of their games. This year they lost only once — to the reigning champions Saracens. “A lot of people tell me our backline is working, but our backline hasn't changed in the last two years,” Lynn added. «The hitters we brought in gave us a lot of ball in the forefoot and a lead hammer — and now that's what we have.»

What's most impressive about Lynn's equipment is their cohesiveness, a quality that shone throughout their campaign. This is best epitomized by their second score, when Lleuku George gave away a delightful stubbler to Sam Monaghan in the corner after their attackers broke through the Harlequin line.

As the Premier 15's share price increases, the race for the home semi-finals among the big three in the league, with Exeter and the Saracens on the heels of Gloucester-Hartpury, will come to an end.

The Cherries and Whites now have a great opportunity to claim their first Premier Silver award 15s at the stadium, where, oddly enough, the final will take place on June 25th. If they get to this place, soon this hotbed of rugby will welcome its own queens in these parts.