PWR: Gloucester-Hartpury beat Loughborough to maintain their perfect start

Champions Gloucester-Hartpury continued their perfect start to the Women’s Super Rugby season with a 45-26 win over Loughborough Lightning.

As the season returns after a six-week winter break, Gloucester-Hartpury have made it eight wins in a row and have now beaten all of their opponents this season at the first time of asking.

Neil Metcalfe’s hat-trick gave the team a 19-7 lead at the end of the first half on Sunday, and they strengthened their advantage in the second half after cross passes from Kelsey Jones, Georgia Brook, England captain Zoe Stratford and Pep Hendy.

The win leaves them five points clear of their closest Muslim rivals.

elsewhere, Bristol Bears They ended a five-game losing streak with a dramatic 30-29 home win over Sale Sharks.

Sale led 22-10 at half-time but Bristol gradually pulled one back and a last-gasp penalty from Wales’ Keira Bevan gave them victory.

Fourth place Heads of Exeter He ran in six tries in the 36-0 win over bottom-of-the-table Leicester Tigers, while Harlequins sit third after beating the Trailfinders on Friday.