Bristol Bears have a turbulent start to the second half as the premiership slips away

By Fin Simmons

Dave Ward lamented a disastrous 15 minutes as his Bristol Bears side surrendered a half-time lead to lose 36-24 in the Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby final against Gloucester-Hartpury at Sandy Park.

Ward’s side led 17-7 at half-time but were outclassed after the break as Gloucester-Hartpury showed the mettle of champions to wrest the crown from the Bears’ grasp.

The Bears arrived as underdogs having lost each of their last six games against Gloucester-Hartpury – who had lost just once all season – but there will be a huge sense of what if when it comes to the overhaul the first final.

“They’ve lost one game all season and that’s by two points, it’s always going to be an uphill battle and we definitely think we could have won today,” said head coach Ward.

“The fact that it got away from us in the second half the way it did is a bit disappointing. The third try in quick succession was the killer blow and that was the one that was always going to be very hard work to come back from.”

The Bears had already beaten the odds to reach the grand final, knocking off Saracens on their patch in the semi-finals and taking that momentum with them into the opening proceedings in the South West.

Ward’s side hit the front through Courtney Keight and extended their lead to 10 points at half-time thanks to tries from Lark Atkin-Davies and Hannah Botterman, with the only concession through Gloucester-Hartpury’s Natasha Hunt.

“The message at half-time was to continue what we’ve been doing but just tighten up some areas,” Ward said.

“We knew we had to be better, but we also knew we had to compete. I probably raced a little too much and that was the problem.

“All credit to the Gloucester coaching staff and the way they changed at half-time. Everything we set out to do in the first half, we mostly succeeded.

“I thought our front row was outstanding in the first half, especially Hannah Botterman. In the second half, with fatigue and the sun shining, it was always going to be a tougher challenge.”

Indeed, it was one-way traffic after the break and the onslaught began when Gloucester-Hartpury were denied an early reply by the TMO – Bethan Lewis’ try had already been converted by Emma Sing before referee Sara Cox had a closer look on the grounder and thought Meryl Smith had something under the ball.

Gloucester-Hartpury were undeterred by this decision and quickly turned the game on its head, scoring four tries in 14 minutes.

Pip Hendy reduced the gap and defender Sing’s try pushed Sean Lynn’s side ahead before Mia Venner and Hannah Jones also touched down in a frantic quarter which ultimately cost Bristol.

Ella Lovibond scored with her first touch to give the Bears a slim hope late on, but Sing’s penalty at the death eventually snuffed out the Bears’ spirited challenge.

“It was 15 minutes from Gloucester territory, we didn’t do it right, giving them the easy penalty and field position,” Ward said.

“You can’t defend a ball that has been headed over unfortunately and Gloucester made it count.

“There’s the upset that went their way, but that’s why they’ve only lost one game all season.

“We saw that and knew if we gave them that push, they would take it.

“When you’re down 5 and 10 it’s not that bad, but when you’re 14 and 21 it becomes a different challenge and we probably didn’t have enough to come back in the second half.”

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