Saracens were held to a dramatic 29-29 draw by Gloucester-Hartpury allowing Harlequins to narrow the gap at the top to just three points. On another busy weekend of Tyrrells Premier 15s action, Loughborough, Wasps and Richmond also secured wins.
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Saracens Women 29- 29 Gloucester-Hartpury
Ellie Underwood crossed for a hat-trick as Gloucester-Hartpury held Saracens to a dramatic 29-29 draw at Allianz Park.
There were ten tries in all in north London as Saracens failed to win for only the second time this season and saw their lead at the top trimmed to three points.
Kelly Smith and a first-half double from Underwood had limited Saracens to only a 17-15 half-time lead – Helena Rowland, Ellena Perry and Lotte Clapp the scorers for the hosts.
After the interval the league leaders looked to have pulled away as Sonia Green and Cara Wardle went over but back came the visitors – who are fifth in the standings and now unbeaten in four league games – as Underwood completed her treble and Mary-Ann Gittings sealed a share of the spoils.
Harlequins Ladies 80 -7 Worcester Valkyries
Harlequins secured their play-off spot with a crushing 80-7 defeat of Worcester Valkyries thanks to hat-tricks from prop Aldora Itunu and number eight Sam McCarthy.
Captain Fiona Fletcher opened the scoring from the base of a scrum with Holly Myers, Itunu (twice), Shaunagh Brown and Megan Brown all crossing also in the first half, with centre Vicky Foxwell providing the visitors their only score.
Harlequins pushed their advantage home in the second period as McCarthy ran in three second-half tries, while Itunu completed her hat-trick and Chloe Edwards also grabbed a score.
Loughborough Lightning 21 – 15 Darlington Mowden Park Sharks
New England winger Charlotte Pearce got on the scoresheet as Loughborough Lightning scored three second-half tries to beat Darlington Mowden Park Sharks.
Katy Daley-Mclean scored the only points of the first half with a penalty before Carys Williams powered through the tackles to score and put Loughborough ahead.
The Sharks replied through a Rianna Manson try but Pearce and Hannah Phillip went over for the Lightning to make the score 21-8 to the hosts.
Claudia Macdonald earned a losing bonus point for the Sharks at the end with a late try.
Wasps FC Ladies 26- 12 Bristol Ladies
England’s Danielle Waterman scored a fine solo try as Wasps ran out 26-12 winners over Bristol after a scoreless opening 40.
Waterman’s international team-mate Rocky Clark had opened the scoring for Wasps with England’s Abby Dow making it 12-0 to the hosts.
Anna Glyn Davies added a third before a penalty try and Poppy Leitch score saw Bristol fightback to 19-12.
Dow then collected a kick and fed Waterman who stormed through the visitors’ defence from halfway to score and clinch the victory.
Richmond FC 20 – 12 Firwood Waterloo Ladies
Emelie Hellgren scored a solo try straight from a kick off as Richmond secured a 20-12 bonus-point win against Firwood Waterloo Ladies.
Richmond took the lead after five minutes with a Libby Povey score, before Rachel Laqeretabua doubled their advantage after good hands in the back line.
Waterloo hit back almost immediately as Vanessa Temple went over to score and on 54 minutes she touched down again to give the away side a 12-10 lead.
Laqeretabua got her second on the hour mark with Hellgren then beating two defenders to run in from 65m for Richmond’s fourth try and the bonus-point.
To view results table from Tyrrells Premier 15s click here
To view Round 16 fixtures click here
Report courtesy of the RFU
