Ilona Maher: Bristol Bears centre getting “better and better” before crunch game at Harlequins

Bristol Bears centre Ilona Maher is getting “better and better”, says head coach Dave Ward before their final game of the regular Premiership Women’s Rugby season.

The Bears travel to Harlequins on Friday night knowing they have to win – ideally with a bonus point – and hope that Exeter lose to Saracens on Saturday to retain any hope of staying in the top four and securing a semi-final spot.

USA international Maher joined the club in January on a contract until the end of March.

“She’s massively keen for us to get to the semi-finals, she wants to play in some knockout rugby as well because she’s getting better and better in terms of 15s and the experiences she’s having,” Ward told BBC Radio Bristol.

Olympic bronze medallist Maher has scored three tries in five matches for Bristol, after switching codes from rugby sevens before the Rugby World Cup this summer.

Her two tries in the 45-17 win against Exeter last weekend included collecting a long ball from Holly Aitchison and then holding off a tackle from England and Chiefs winger Claudia MacDonald to score.

“Claudia MacDonald’s a world-class winger and for her to get that ball transfer and to dot it down before getting pushed out was great,” Ward said.

“Obviously the ball from Holly Aitchison was pretty spectacular but she still had to go over and score it.

“For us, we’re really happy with how she’s performing and we want her to be a big part of the side as we move forward.”