Premiership Women’s Rugby: Bristol Bears beat Trailfinders to move third

Bristol Bears beat Trailfinders 26-7 to claim a bonus-point victory and move up to third in the Premiership Women’s Rugby table.

Emma Orr scored the opening try to hand Bears an early lead but Trailfinders levelled after a powerful finish by Tyson Beukeboom.

Rownita Marston-Mulhearn dotted down just before half-time as Bristol regained the advantage, before Sarah Bern stretched their lead after the interval.

Amber Reed converted her own try to seal the bonus point and secure Bears’ second successive win, which allowed them to leapfrog Harlequins in the table.

Trailfinders, meanwhile, dropped to seventh after Loughborough Lightning picked up a bonus point in their 36-24 derby victory over winless Leicester Tigers.

Tess Feury landed an early penalty to hand Tigers the lead but Loughborough scored the opening try through Krissy Scurfield.

England centre Meg Jones replied with a terrific interception try as Tigers moved back in front, before Lightning hit back once more through Kendall Waudby.

Emily Scarratt and Tahlia Body exchanged tries before Kathryn Treder scored from a rolling maul to hand Loughborough the bonus point and a 26-17 half-time lead.

Debutant Alev Kelter added Lightning’s fifth try on the hour mark to seal victory although Tigers, who remain eighth, claimed a late consolation through Catha Jacobs.