Power to the girls on day of history

GLOUCESTER- Hartpury claimed their first Allianz Premier 15s title as they outclassed Exeter Chiefs in front of a record crowd.

- CAMERON STEPHENS

Behind some brutish defence and physical dominance, Gloucester-Hartpury piled on five tries at ‘Queensholm’ stadium on their way to the title to the delight of 9,668 fans – a record for a women’s domestic fixture in England.

“This club means everything to me, it’s my family,” Gloucester-Hartpury co-captain Mo Hunt said after the final whistle. “We’re such a tight group and that showed today.”

Zoe Aldcroft added: “The girls’ effort out there from minute one to 80 was absolutely insane.

“We were just looking at each other sometimes and there was nothing left but the girls just kept going and I could not be prouder of this team.”

Both sides showcased their willingness to push the pace early on with Exeter given the first chance as they launched an attack from inside their 22 from the opening kickoff which was eventually brought to an abrupt end by a monstrous tackle from Sarah Beckett.

Gloucester-Hartpury then got their chance as they opted to turn down an easy three points and kick to the corner after a passage of fluid attack earned the penalty.

They reaped their reward as hooker Kelsey Jones powered over from the back of the maul to score the first try of the final which was met by a deafening roar from the Queensholm crowd.

Sean Lynn’s side then threatened to mirror their opening score as they were handed another chance to deploy their maul, only for some incredible last-ditch defence from Gabby Cantorna to deny Hunt a try.

With the wind in their sails, the Cherry and Whites continued to pile on the pressure as fly-half Lleucu George produced a sensational spiral 50/22 to call the Exeter Chiefs goal line defence into action once again.