Round eight was not short of action in a drama-filled weekend of the Tyrrells Premier 15s.
Loughborough Lightning remain unbeaten atop the standings while Saracens Women kept pace as did Harlequins Ladies just below them.
Elsewhere, Gloucester-Hartpury Women RFC got back to winning ways while Firwood Waterloo Ladies held off Darlington Mowden Park Sharks.
Harlequins Ladies 24 – 8 Wasps FC Ladies
Harlequins Ladies made it five wins in a row as Davinia Catlin’s double helped them overcome Wasps FC Ladies on Sunday.
In the final game of the weekend, Ellie Green and Lizzie Goulden traded penalties in a cagey opening. Catlin struck twice before half time to open up a 17-3 lead – Green unerring from the kicking tee.
Fiona Fletcher’s score in the second half sealed the victory but Quins could not grab a fourth and a bonus point as the visitors rallied and claimed a late consolation through Garnet Mackinder.
Loughborough Lightning 64 – 12 Worcester Valkyries
Loughborough Lightning secured their eighth win in a row with a 64-12 victory over Worcester Valkyries to stay unbeaten and top of the pile.
Lightning took control of the game early on thanks to tries from Daleaka Menin, Mags Lowish and Leah Bartlett.
Jada Bailey did pull one back for Valkyries but Lightning struck a further three times before the break.
Olivia Jones went over for a try and two from Hannah Phillip made sure the result was safe for Lightning.
Bristol Bears Women 15 – 32 Saracens Women
Lotte Clapp and Bryony Cleall both crossed for doubles as Saracens Women claimed an impressive bonus-point win over Bristol Bears Women away to stay second in the standings.
An early yellow card for Michaella Roberts for the hosts allowed Sarah McKenna to cross and while they were pegged back by an Elinor Snowsill penalty, the defending champions dominated thereafter.
Zoe Harrison went over next for Saracens before Cleall got on the scoresheet to make it 17-3 at the break.
Making her first appearance of the season fly-half Harrison said: “We played well as a team. The wind was a bit of a struggle in the first half, but we brought good energy to overcome it.
“I’m really pleased to get my first 40 minutes of the season under my belt. I’m looking forward to playing more with the girls and I’m excited for what’s to come.”
Mackenzie Carson reduced arrears on the resumption but Clapp raced in for a second-half double and Cleall also bagged her second before Simi Hannah Pam’s late Bears’ consolation.
Saracens next face table leaders Loughborough Lightning at Allianz Park on 24 November.
Gloucester-Hartpury Women RFC 34 – 15 Richmond FC
Gloucester-Hartpury Women RFC bounced back from defeat by Saracens Women by scoring three tries in the final ten minutes to claim a 34-15 win over Richmond FC.
Richmond had a great deal of early possession but were wasteful with it and went in 10-5 down with Dyddgu Hywel scoring the decisive try of the half.
Heading into the closing stages of the match it was delicately poised at 17-15 as Richmond rallied with Alice Soper going over for the visitors to set up a nail-biting last 20.
But two tries from Kelly Smith and a final one from new recruit Heather Fisher made sure Gloucester picked up a valuable bonus-point win.
Firwood Waterloo Ladies 22 – 14 Darlington Mowden Park Sharks
Two second-half tries from Vanessa Temple were enough to guide Firwood Waterloo to a 22-14 win as they came from behind to beat Darlington Mowden Park Sharks at home.
The full-back, who also plays rugby league for England, touched down twice for the home side at the Memorial Ground including a scintillating break from inside her own half.
Her scores came after an early converted try from DMP but Waterloo’s back-rower Serena Brymer added a try of her own to make it 7-5 to the visitors at half time.
Number eight Beth Stafford added a fourth try for Firwood late on, with DMP adding a consolation try just before the final whistle. The result gives Firwood their first win in six while DMP have now lost three in a row after defeats against Loughborough Lightning and Wasps FC Ladies.
There will be no Tyrrells Premier 15s fixtures until Saturday 24 November. For the full season table click here, fixtures here and for the latest season statistics, click here.
Courtesy of the RFU
