TikTok Women’s Six Nations stars Kelsey Jones and Sarah Beckett were among the try-scorers as Gloucester-Hartpury defeated Exeter Chiefs 34-19 in the Allianz Premier 15s final.
Backed by the majority of the record 9,655 in attendance at Kingsholm, re-branded Queensholm for the week, the Cherry & Whites won the battle of the West Country rivals to lift the trophy for the first time.
Wales hooker Jones got them up and running inside five minutes, crossing for her 10th try of the season as the decision to send a kickable penalty to the corner rather than through the posts paid dividends.
Natasha Hunt saw a try disallowed shortly afterwards as Gloucester’s flying start continued, while international friendships were put to one side when Emma Sing put in a big hit to prevent her Red Roses teammate Claudia MacDonald making progress.
MacDonald later spilled a superb long Kate Zackary pass when well placed but Chiefs did not have to wait long to edge in front, Emily Tuttosi crashing over and Liz McGoverne converting moments after Beckett had received a yellow card for a high tackle.
The numerical disadvantage did not prevent Gloucester fighting back, Rachel Lund crossing in the corner before Beckett marked her return to the field with a trademark charge over from the final action of the first half to open up a 17-7 advantage.
That lead was extended early in the second half courtesy of a penalty try, MacDonald penalised for deliberately tapping the ball away from the arriving Ellie Rugman.
Hope Rogers was held up over the line as Chiefs sought a response which ultimately came when they again took advantage of a Gloucester yellow card, McGoverne converting her own score after Lund had been sin-binned for a high tackle.
Sing’s long-range penalty made it 27-12 and Lisa Neumann joined her Wales teammate Jones on the scoresheet to seal the deal with eight minutes to play, ensuring Ebony Jeffries’ late response was nothing more than consolation.
