Round 17 Review: Trailfinders end Gloucester-Hartpury's unbeaten run

The PWR returned for the final run-in after a special Six Nations campaign came to a head.

And it was worth that wait. Trailfinders Women sealed their play-off spot by beating previously invincible Gloucester Hartpury, Exeter Chiefs laid down a marker, and Harlequins produced a special first-half performance.

Here’s how it all happened.

Trailfinders deny Gloucester Hartpury unbeaten season

Trailfinders Women stunned Gloucester Hartpury 41-39 in the penultimate round of the PWR season to end the visitors’ 14-match unbeaten run.

The runaway leaders were outmaneuvered by fourth-placed Trailfinders, who guaranteed their spot in the play-offs with the hard-fought win. 

The hosts opened the scoring four minutes in from a driving maul, as Georgia Ponsonby flopped over.

But Gloucester Hartpury are leaders for a reason, and they came roaring back with Mia Venner jetting down the right wing to put them into a 15-7 lead.

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But in the final play of the half, the Trailfinders pack once again powered over to reclaim the lead. 17-15 at the break.

The hosts finally managed to put some daylight on the scoreboard when Ella Amory ran through from a dash of Meg Jones brilliance.

And after two Gloucester Hartpury players were sent to the sin bin, Trailfinders crossed the 40-point mark when Carys Cox jumped in at the corner.

The league leaders earned a consolation try with the clock in the red but could do nothing to stop Trailfinders’ success at Vallis Way, with Jones named player of the match.

Chiefs in commanding form

Exeter Chiefs produced a dominant display in a 57-5 win over Bristol Bears to tighten their grip on third place.

The writing was on the wall when Chiefs’ Claudia Moloney-MacDonald ran through to score from an interception just three minutes in and they built their lead to 14-0 soon after.

Reneeqa Bonner restored some pride for the Bears with a strong finish, but it would be their only score of the game.

Two more tries before half time inflated Exeter’s lead to 28-5 and sealed the bonus point, with Alex Tessier faultless from the tee.

Chiefs were now playing free-flowing rugby, exemplified by a gorgeous try from Moloney-MacDonald after fast hands from across the line.

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And Sabrina Poulin ran onto Merryn Elworthy’s kick for another brilliant score, just one of four tries they scored between the 44th and 60th minutes.

Francesca Granzotto added the finishing touches as she flew in at the corner. Chiefs will take their momentum into a final-day clash with Sale Sharks.

First half frenzy in West London

Harlequins overcame bottom side Leicester Tigers in a frantic 50-29 win at Twickenham Stoop.

Neither side had much to play for, with Quins unable to catch Trailfinders in fourth and Tigers hoping to notch their first win of the season as they sit in ninth place.

But the Londoners came out hard, surging to a 26-3 lead inside the first 20 minutes.

Lucy Packer benefited from Claudia Pena line break to open the scoring and the Quins pack seemed simply too strong in the scrum.

Ella Cromack finds the gap and shows her speed to score for Quins 💨#PWR @HarlequinsWomen pic.twitter.com/ctAFLSad7j

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Ella Cromack delivered a moment of brilliance to cut through the Tigers backline, but the visitors did put up a fight, with Micke Gunter the first over.

Their second try only came when Quins had 38 points on the board, but Zara Pickwick’s support run was cheered vociferously by her teammates to make it 38-15 at half-time. 

Quins took their foot off the gas, with Maja Mueller adding their final try of the day in the 54th minute, allowing Tigers to grab two of their own, culminating in a last-minute solo effort from Jemima McCalman.