Harlequins Women vs Bristol Bears Women

Harlequins Women v Bristol Bears - Allianz Stadium

Big game 17 began at Allianz Stadium with Harlequins Women facing off against Bristol Bears.

An early yellow card for Bristol Bears flanker Pamphinette after a fairly even start to the game would see a resulting penalty from which Liana Mikaele-Tu’u crash over the line to open the scoring for Harlequins.

Referee Alex Thomas would call his TMO into play for the second time in the game which would result in a yellow card, this time for Quins and fly half Emma Cromack for a dangerous tackle. But unlike their counterparts Bears were unable to score from the resulting penalty.

Soon after, the TMO would be involved for the third time, resulting again in a yellow card. England prop Sarah Bern the guilty party this time following a high tackle.

After some good hands Quins would soon take advantage of the two yellows for the Bears, as Lauren Torley broke through to score in the far corner to stretch their lead to 12-0. 

Just moments later Ellie Kildunne would score a sensational try for the home side as she regathered her own kick over the top to go through a Bears defence not helped by a mix up between their last two players in the back field.

 Bears may have been down but they were certainly not out! Following a nice passage of play the ball would eventually make its way to winger Millie David who would squeeze over the try line, despite numerous tackle attempts to get her side on the board.

Unfortunately soon after a dampener for the Bears when Meg Varley had to go off injured visibly upset on what was her return from 12 months out.

 With roughly 8 minutes left of the first half Quins secured their bonus point when following some slick moves from the backline, Claudia Pena would burst through to score the all important fourth try in the corner. 

This would prove to be the final score of a relatively hectic first half at Allianz Stadium with the home side going back to the dressing rooms leading comfortably 26-5.

Bristol began the second half somewhat better but basic errors were continuing to occur and they were unable to keep hold of the ball. Their best two chances came early in the second half came through excellent cross field kicks from Ruahei Demant that only narrowly evaded both David on one wing and Bonner on the other.

Bristols patience did soon pay off though as Amy Dale would collect a lineout to score her sides second of the day from short range.

Both sides continued to apply the pressure, and with the difference being 14 points it certainly felt like you couldn’t rule out a comeback for the visitors.

But this changed when Freya Aucken would force her way over for Quins 5th try of the day to surely put the game to bed with Pena adding the extras to make it 33-12.

Aucken’s try may have been Quins first in the second half in this match, but it took them to an incredible 17 tries across their PWR campaign so far.

Bristol began to apply more pressure late on, and managed to get themselves into an excellent position just short of Harlequins try line, but again they just could not manage to break through and eventually conceded a penalty to allow the home side an escape route.

 Harlequins were not done either, and after their solid defensive efforts they would manage to get another score on the board, yet again it was Freya Aucken who would go over in the corner.

Meanwhile Elliann Clarke was sent to the sin bin for the visitors to really sum up their afternoon in TW2. And with that referee Alex Thomas would bring an end to the game.

Quins finished this one deserved winners with Red Roses superstar Ellie Kildunne rightfully being awarded player of the match.

 Harlequins Women 38

Bristol Bears Women 12.