Gloucester-Hartpury power into PWR final with eight-try win over Exeter Chiefs

Defending champions Gloucester-Hartpury overpowered Exeter Chiefs to reach the Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby final with a 50-19 win.

In a repeat of last year’s final, the Cherry & Whites had too much for Chiefs to handle in the first 40 minutes, with Lleucu George scoring two of the hosts' four first-half tries with Hannah Jones and Pip Hendy also crossing.

Maud Muir, Sarah Beckett, Emma Sing and Sisilia Tuipulotu also got in on the act in the second half, while Rachel Johnson produced the breakthrough for Chiefs with Cliodhna Moloney and Katie Buchanan getting consolations.

Gloucester-Hartpury will now look to retain their title at Sandy Park on 22 June against first-time finalists Bristol Bears.

George got Gloucester-Hartpury off to the perfect start with a try inside three minutes, as Tatyana Heard powered her side forward before slick passing found George who finished the move off.

Five minutes later, Gloucester added to their lead as the connections between their players fired and became too much for Exeter to deal with as Jones had to just pick her gap to go over.

From there, Chiefs enjoyed more time in possession, but Gloucester were as impressive in defence as they had been in attack, with scrum-half Natasha Hunt forcing Exeter into touch.

See ya 👋

Lleucu George sells the big dummy to extend @gloshartpury's lead 🎪

Watch live on @BBCSport and @rugbyontnt 📺#PWR | #PoweredDifferently | @allianzuknews pic.twitter.com/NzPRoGKYxX

— Premiership Women's Rugby (@ThePWR) June 9, 2024

After withstanding pressure from Chiefs, the hosts moved further ahead with George getting her second try, and third of the season, as she dummied the defence to power over.

Gloucester’s fourth try came soon after and was a thing of beauty as Jones flicked the ball into her own hands before feeding Hendy who wheeled her way to the wing and then the tryline. 

Exeter Chiefs may have enjoyed a break at half-time but there was no respite for them in the second half, with Muir powering over after good work from Sing just four minutes after the restart. 

However, the visitors were able to get themselves on the board with patient work finished by Johnson. 

Pip Hendy puts the foot down 🔥@gloshartpury are putting on a show so far ✨

Watch live on @rugbyontnt and @BBCSport 📺#PWR | #PoweredDifferently | @allianzuknews pic.twitter.com/N7PB6s2c1p

— Premiership Women's Rugby (@ThePWR) June 9, 2024

The ability to do both defence and attack as well as each other was clear when forwards Muir and Beckett worked the ball out wide with supreme skill as Beckett notched Gloucester’s sixth. 

Sing was eventually rewarded for all her attacking work after a brilliant run from Mia Venner saw the ball then worked out to Sing to further extend her lead as the season’s top point scorer. 

"That's outrageous!" 💥

Sisilia Tuipulotu breaks four tackles before touching down for @gloshartpury 💪#PWR | #PoweredDifferently | @allianzuknews pic.twitter.com/Py21sfth93

— Premiership Women's Rugby (@ThePWR) June 9, 2024

Within minutes of coming off the bench, Tuipulotu crossed the whitewash with a stunning run that saw her fend off four defenders as Gloucester moved to their half-century of points. 

Moloney thought on her feet as she kicked off quickly before racing to the try line and reaching over for Exeter’s second before Buchanan got the final try of the game as she went over from the wing.

Tickets are now on sale for the Allianz Premiership Women's Rugby Final on 22 June at Sandy Park - kick off 3pm. Click here to buy a ticket and be part of an unmissable day of women's rugby.