Reneka Bonner's try four minutes from time gave Bristol the breathing space they needed to reach the final. Photo: Getty Images/Ryan Hiscott Saracens Women 21, Bristol Bears Women 29
It was a record day for the Bristol Bears women's team. who came from behind at half-time to not only book their place in a women's Premiership Rugby final for the first time, but also become the first team in the history of the competition. win the semi-final away. Having failed at this stage in the last two seasons, Bristol will not give up this time.
Hannah Botterman and Holly Aitchison, two English girls who signed for Saracens before the start of the season, played major roles in their former team's defeat. However, the winning chance ultimately went to England Under-20s striker Reneka Bonner, who burned Saracens' Zoe Harrison outside with four minutes remaining. Her try put Bristol ahead by more than a point.
Lark Atkin-Davies, the England hooker, scored a hat-trick and nearly scored a fourth as Bristol corrected the lineout in the second half and used that punishing set piece to take control of the game.
“We We've been training so hard all season that last week was non-stop and hard. And we're in the final – I'm so proud of every single person,” said Bristol's player of the match Rownitha Marston-Mulhern. “Once we got into the top four, no one thought we would win. Nobody won the away semi-final, but look, here we are. We lifted the curse.”
The Bristol players cannot hide their joy at reaching the final. Photo: Getty Images/Paul Harding
As they had done for much of the first half, Saracens were in control but Bristol suffered late turnovers. But there was no stopping the deft strike on the game's first try, with Corinne Grant firing in the corner despite a valiant tackle from Deborah Wills. Saracens were in control after McKinley Hunt's powerful goal, but before the break an Atkin-Davies maul attempt gave Bristol hope.
However, from the start of the second half, Bristol were in the lead, creating good shots through their props Botterman and Simi Pam, with Atkin-Davies adding a second from the maul. Using the wind from Kira Bevan's strikes into the area, Bristol then took the lead for the first time through Courtney Keith's shot wide of goal.
Bonner's deliberate clearance meant Saracens regained the lead and Bristol were reduced to 14 men, but this proved to be only an error in a second half which Bristol dominated. Saracens themselves received two yellow cards for Leanne Infante and Emma Taylor after an Atkin-Davies hat-trick, before Bonner's solo try put Bristol into the final.
Match details
Goal sequence:
Strong>5-0 Grant try, 7-0 Harrison try, 12-0 Hunt try, 14-0 Harrison try, 14-5 Atkin-Davies try, 14-10 Atkin-Davies try, 14-12 Reid try, 14-17 try Keith, 21-17 Saracens free try, 21-22 Atkin-Davies try, 21-24 Reid try, 21-29 Bonner try
Saracens Women:J. Breech; K Grant (L Clapp 62), S Gregson (S Bridger 78), S McKenna, P Farris; Z. Harrison, E. Virvas (L. Infante, 65); M. Hunt (A. Gondwe 46), M. Campbell (B. Field 73), C. Clifford (D. Rose 56), M. Evans (L. McMillan 73), A. Taylor, S. de Goudet, M. Packer (c), P. Clearall (S. Casolo) 73) Yellow cards: Infante 73, Taylor 74.
Bristol Bears Women:E. Lovibond (M. Smith, 67); R Bonner, P Murray, H Aitchison, D Wills (K Keith 29); A Reid, C Bevan (L Burgess 79); S. Pam, L. Atkin-Davies, H. Botterman, D. Burns (H. Cunningham 65), A. Ward, A. Butchers, E. Gallagher, R. Marston-Mulhern, Not used: J. Sprague, H. Phillips, A. Marston-Mulhearn, G. Nigrelli, Yellow card: R. Bonner 55.
Ruthless Gloucester-Hartpury are booked for the final at Sandy Park 
Gloucester-Hartpury awaits the final. Photo: Getty Images/Cameron Smith Gloucester-Hartpury 50 Exeter Chiefs 19