Trailfinders stun Gloucester-Hartpury to reach PWR final

Isla Norman-Bell (right) scored two tries for Trailfinders in the win at Gloucester-Hartpury

Trailfinders held off Gloucester-Hartpury as they beat the reigning champions 29-26 to reach their first Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR) final.

They will play Saracens for the title on Sunday. 28 June, who emerged as narrow 40-38 winners against Exeter Chiefs in the other semi-final.

Hosts Gloucester-Hartpury had won the title for the past three seasons. took the lead at Kingsholm - rebadged as Queensholm for the PWR play-offs - through a Tatyana Heard try.

However, Trailfinders, who only joined the PWR in 2023. had never finished higher than sixth, responded with four unanswered tries in their first PWR semi-final.

Maya Montiel, Meg Jones, Isla Norman-Bell. Emma Uren each went over the line as the visitors went into half-time with a 24-7 lead.

Gloucester-Hartpury launched a comeback after the break and a Rachel Lund try reduced the deficit to 10 points.

Georgia Brock was next to touch down for the home side as they closed to within three points of their opponents.

But Norman-Bell scored her second try of the match to give Trailfinders a 29-21 lead and some much-needed breathing space.

And, despite Hannah Dallavalle's try for Gloucester-Hartpury, Trailfinders kept their hosts out to secure a hard-fought victory.

Saracens had to dig deep as they recovered from a half-time deficit at home to see off a battling Exeter side.

Exeter. who had been beaten twice by Saracens during the season, took the lead early on when Claudia Moloney-MacDonald scored a try.

Alysha Corrigan and Jess Breach hit back for Saracens and to put their side 14-5 in front.

Hope Rogers went over the line for the visitors but the hosts looked like they were taking control of the match when tries from Donna Rose. PWR player of the season Olivia Apps gave them a 28-12 lead.

However, Amy Rule, Cliodhna Moloney-Macdonald. Rogers each touched down for Exeter to give them a 31-28 lead at the break.

A second try of the match for Apps restored the home side's lead. they found themselves trailing by three points again after a Maisy Allen score for Exeter.

Saracens needed something special. Breach provided it with a storming late run for her second try of the match in what proved to be the winning score.