Hartpury made to work hard by battling Chiefs
GLOUCESTER-Hartpury maintained their unbeaten run in the Women’s Premiership with a gritty victory against Exeter at Kingsholm.
The hosts recorded their 12th consecutive triumph of the season and head of women’s rugby Sean Lynn hailed his side’s character after losing both Gwen Grabb and Alex Matthews to injury.
“That was a huge win for us today,” he said. “This Exeter side are a very strong outfit. They had a point to prove coming up here today. For us to get a bonus point win after a six-day turnaround is very, very pleasing and it just goes to show the character of this squad.
“They worked so hard on the pitch, off the pitch and the character of this group is just quality.”
Lynn’s side got off to the best possible start when they opened the scoring in the sixth minute through Emma Sing following Alex Tessier’s yellow card for tackling a player off the ball.
The full-back showed great footwork and danced her way though for her sixth try of the season.
Five minutes later Sing, again at the heart of the action, threaded the ball to Pip Hendy out wide. She showed great strength to power over in the corner.
To Chiefs’ credit they never gave up and and won a penalty. Tessier kicked to touch and from the lineout the visitors drove over, with Emily Tuttosi getting on the scoresheet and Gabby Cantorna kicked the conversion.
Five minutes later Chiefs went in front for the first time from a lineout when Hope Rogers was able to go over after the TMO awarded the try.
But Gloucester went into half-time 17-12 ahead after Georgia Brock powered over after patient build-up play.
Within three minutes of the restart the Chiefs went back in front after Tuttosi dived over with Cantorna once again adding the extras to put Gloucester-Hartpury‘s winning run under threat.
However, the league leaders had other ideas and following Linde Van Der Velden’s yellow card for a high tackle on Kelsey Jones, home captain Natasha Hunt powered over with Sing adding the extras to secure their 11th bonus point of the season.
In the 64th minute Brock ensured Gloucester-Hartpury had breathing space after surging forward to score her second of the afternoon with Sing once again successful with her kick.
Exeter Chiefs’ Elidh Sinclair capped off a fine passage of play to dive over in the corner but the day belonged to Gloucester-Hartpury.