PWR round 8 review: Quins win big during Big Game

Harlequins kicked off Round 8 of the Premiership Women’s Rugby season with a big win in the Big Game at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.

The clash in southwest London was Saturday’s only encounter with three more games coming on Sunday.

Sale Sharks against Saracens kicks off the last day of action before Christmas at 1pm before Loughborough Lightning take on Trailfinders at 2pm.

Leicester Tigers and Gloucester Hartpury then round off proceeding at 3pm. 

Harlequins 38-12 Bristol Bears

Harlequins produced a big performance during their Big Game with Bristol Bears, running out 38-12 winners at HQ.

Quins opened the scoring after Pam Buisa was yellow carded for stripping the ball when on the ground.

From the ensuing penalty, Liana Mikaele-Tu'u made no mistake from the tap-and-go opportunity to power over.

Ella Cromack’s conversion made it 7-0 but the match was reduced to 14-a-side five minutes later after the fly-half was given her own marching orders.

Sarah Bern became the third player to be given a 10-minute cooling off period following a high tackle on 16 minutes and the hosts took full advantage when Lauren Torley crossed over.

The try of the match came courtesy of England superstar Ellie Kildunne after the fullback chased and collected her own 30-yard kick to breach the whitewash.

Millie David’s brilliant score briefly cut the deficit to 14 points, before Kildunne then turned provider to play in Claudia Pena who dashed down the wing to score in the corner to gives Quins a 26-5 halftime lead.

Bristol were much improved during the second 40 minutes and were rewarded for their perseverance when Amy Dale crossed over six minutes short of the hour mark.

But Quins held firm against Bristol’s pursuit of further points before adding two more tries of their own - courtesy of Freya Aucken and Freya Aucken - to seal the win.