Premiership Women's Rugby: Gloucester-Hartpury beat Sale to go top, Saracens bag play-off spot with Exeter Chiefs win

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With the regular PWR season nearing its completion, there were three matches on Saturday. Premiership Women's Rugby giants Gloucester-Hartpury claimed an away win at Sale Sharks to go top, while Saracens beat Exeter Chiefs to ensure a semi-final spot in the upcoming play-offs, and struggling outfit Leicester Tigers enjoyed a rare, dramatic victory over the Ealing Trailfinders.

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Gloucester-Hartpury topped the league with a 41-24 win at Sale Sharks, Saracens defeated Exeter Chiefs, and Leicester Tigers won at the Trailfinders on Saturday in Premiership Women's Rugby.

The results mean both Gloucester-Hartpury and Saracens are both assured of play-off semi-final places.

Tries from Zoe Aldcroft, Rachel Lund and Mia Venner gave Gloucester-Hartpury a 15-3 lead in the first half, and they continued to dominate in the second period.

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Venner scored again as the full-back deftly avoided the opposition defence, securing a bonus point in the process.

Gillian Boag, Ranni Samuda both got on the scoresheet, and Venner was on hand to complete a hat-trick.

Saracens were in control against Exeter Chiefs after a brief early scare as they secured a 21-7 lead in the first half of the match.

While Nancy McGillivray scored the opening try for the Chiefs, converted by Liv McGoverne, they had no answer for the rest of the first period.

Sophie Bridger, May Campbell and Poppy Cleall all scored before the whistle blew.

Slippery conditions proved tough for both sides, and England’s Claudia MacDonald broke through the home side’s defence to cut the deficit, but Sarries held on for a 21-12 victory.

Leicester secured a 45-43 win at Ealing Trailfinders as the two struggling sides met on Saturday afternoon.

The victory earned the away side a bonus point and their second league victory of the season so far, but neither side will make the play-offs.

The home team’s captain, Kate Zackary, opened the scoring after picking up from a scrum following a Leicester penalty.

Tahlia Brody then scored for the away side after Trailfinders conceded a penalty close to the goalline, and while they looked set to score a quick second, an interception from Zackary kickstarted a move that saw Jess Cooksey score for the Londoners.

The Tigers then levelled as Meg Jones found her way through the defence before finding Francesca McGhie who touched down.

Before the first half was over, more tries followed from both sides but Leicester went in 26-17 ahead.

The second half was even more frenetic, with both sides continuing to score heavily. McGhie scored the pick of the bunch for Leicester as they built an unassailable advantage. The Tigers established a 23-point lead and looked to be cruising, but three successive tries put the Trailfinders only two points behind, with Leicester able to hold on in a tense conclusion.

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