(Reuters) – Gloucester-Hartpury overpowered last year’s finalists Exeter Chiefs 34-19 on Saturday to become the first team from outside London to win the women’s Premier 15s title.
Gloucester led 17-7 at halftime on their home ground, Kingsholm, which took a new identity for the day and was renamed “Queensholm” as 9,668 fans watched on, a record crowd for a Premier 15s final.
After Kelsey Jones’s early try had given the hosts the early advantage, Gloucester’s Sarah Beckett was sent to the sin-bin and Exeter took advantage through Emily Tuttosi, before Liv McGoverne’s conversion put them 7-5 ahead.
Rachel Lund restored Gloucester’s advantage, however, and Beckett added another try after returning to the field as the hosts led 17-7 at halftime.
Gloucester continued to dominate after the interval and were awarded a penalty try before Liv McGoverne’s score gave Exeter hope of a comeback.
But Lisa Neumann strolled over to extend Gloucester-Hartpury’s lead and Ebony Jeffries’ late score was only a consolation for the visitors.
Saracens have won the trophy three times since the league was created in 2017 while Harlequins were victorious in 2020-21. The 2019-20 season was abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
(Reporting by Anita Kobylinska in Gdansk, editing by Ed Osmond)
