Unbeaten Gloucester-Hartpury got here from behind to grab a dramatic win over Saracens and return to the highest of the Premiership Girls’s Rugby desk.
Alex Matthews grabbed a hat-trick, with the quantity eight’s third attempt within the closing levels clinching a bonus level for the defending champions on the Stone X Stadium.
Saracens had been a participant down for the final seven minutes after Marlie Packer was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on.
With 4 matches of their league marketing campaign remaining, Gloucester’s victory put them 4 factors away from second-placed Saracens – who’ve performed a recreation extra – and secured house benefit within the semi-finals on the finish of the season.
The hosts led 14-12 on the break following tries from Liv Apps and Emma Hardy, however may solely add a Zoe Harrison penalty after the break regardless of enjoying with a robust breeze at their backs.
Apps raced in underneath the posts early on, however the scrum-half was substituted within the first half following a reduce to the pinnacle.
Hardy completed off an outstanding Sarries transfer that began in their very own half to place them forward once more, after Matthews had picked up off a scrum for the primary of her treble.
Her second attempt was a repeat of her first, however her aspect trailed after Lleucu George missed her drop-kick conversion try, the ball having been blown off the kicking tee with the shot clock winding down.
Hannah Dallavalle’s attempt close to the nook after 64 minutes put Gloucester forward for the primary time, earlier than a Zoe Harrison penalty levelled the sport at 17-17.
However Packer’s error, which she instantly acknowledged, put Saracens underneath mounting strain and Matthews barged over from a ruck at shut vary for the attempt that secured a bonus level for the three-time champions.
Saracens weren’t accomplished, although, and had been threatening the try-line when Gloucester-Hartpury stole their throw in their very own 22 with 80 minutes up on the clock.
