It was heartbreak for Bristol Bears Women as they missed out on a second successive PWR final following a 36-20 defeat to Gloucester-Hartpury in front of more than 6,000 at Queensholm.

Lark Atkin-Davies crossed twice, while further Bears scores came in the shape of Ilona Maher and Millie David, who crossed for an incredible try.

Bristol surged into a 10-0 lead thanks to an Atkin-Davies double, with the first coming 15 minutes into the contest as the England hooker powered her way to the line from the back of a driving maul. Her second was a carbon-copy of the opening try as the travelling Bears fans basked in the Gloucestershire sunshine 10-0 up.

The Cherry and Whites hit back two minutes later courtesy of prop El Perry, who crashed over from close range following a period of sustained pressure. Emma Sing uncharacteristically missed the conversion from bang in front of the post, but the full-back had her kicking boots on moments later when she slotted home from the touchline after Sarah Beckett had forced her way over.

With half-time looming, Bears number-eight Evie Gallagher was yellow carded for a high tackle, and Gloucester made their advantage count as Sing sliced through to cross the whitewash a minute before the break. The pacey back converted her own score to give the Queensholm outfit a 19-10 interval lead.

Dave Ward’s side came out for the second period in confident mood, and on 48 minutes Ilona Maher scythed into the corner to finish off a sweeping Bears attack. Simi Pam was the catalyst for the try, with her lung-busting ball carry taking Bears deep into Gloucester’s 22.

Trailing by just four points, Bears were unable to build on Maher’s score as Gloucester’s Zoe Aldcroft crossed under the sticks for a converted try just short of the hour mark.

The try of the match came two minutes later by virtue of David, with the star in the making acrobatically diving into the corner to touchdown despite the desperate efforts of a scrambling Gloucester rearguard.

However, Gloucester pushed home their advantage in the closing stages to secure their place in the final thanks to a Hannah Jones try coupled with a Sing penalty.

Bristol Bears | 15.⁠ ⁠Courtney Keight, 14.⁠ ⁠Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, 13.⁠ ⁠Phoebe Murray, 12.⁠ ⁠Amber Reed (cc), 11.⁠ ⁠Ilona Maher, 10.⁠ ⁠Holly Aitchison, 9.⁠ ⁠Keira Bevan; 1.⁠ ⁠Hannah Botterman, 2.⁠ ⁠Lark Atkin-Davies, 3.⁠ ⁠Sarah Bern, 4.⁠ ⁠Hollie Cunningham, 5.⁠ ⁠Abbie Ward (cc), 6.⁠ ⁠Alisha Joyce-Butchers, 7.⁠ ⁠Christiana Balogun, 8.⁠ ⁠Evie Gallagher

Replacements: 16.⁠ ⁠Holly Phillips, 17.⁠ ⁠Simi Pam, 18.⁠ ⁠Elliann Clarke, 19.⁠ ⁠Delaney Burns, 20.⁠ ⁠Row Marston-Mulhearn, 21.⁠ ⁠Ffion Lewis, 22.⁠ ⁠Meg Varley, 23.⁠ ⁠Millie David