Bristol Bears Women’s four-game winning streak came to an end with a 33-24 defeat against Saracens at StoneX Stadium.
The scene of their heroic play-off semi-final victory last season, Bears were unable to repeat the trick this time round as Saracens ran in two late tries to break the visitors’ hearts.
Bears left the capital with a try bonus point, but it could have been so much more had they taken their chances in the final third.
Dave Ward’s side, who now prepare for the visit of Gloucester-Hartpury on 4 January, were 14-0 up inside the opening 12 minutes thanks to converted tries from Rownita Marston-Mulhearn and skipper Abbie Ward. Hollie Aitchison slotted home both conversions to the delight of the travelling Bristol contingent in the stand. Both tries came from excellent work from the pack, with Bears’ scrummaging a dominant force throughout the contest.
On 16 minutes Sarries hit back through May Campbell, the back-row going over from a driving lineout. Sarah McKenna added the extras in the absence of Zoe Harrison who was yellow carded.
The hosts levelled the score on 21 minutes when McKinley Hunt dotted down, a converted score which seemed cruel on Bristol.
Kelsey Clifford gave the London club the lead for the first time in the game on the half hour, crashing in under the posts despite the desperate attempts of Sarah Bern.
Pick of the Match Lark Atkin-Davies went over for a crucial score five minutes from the break to close the gap to within two points at 21-19 to set up an enthralling second half.
Bears began the second half all guns blazing, with their dominant scrum earning them a succession of penalties. And the visitors made Sarries pay when Jasmine Joyce-Butchers sprinted in for a well-worked try on the back of a free-flowing Bears attack.
The Wales international’s try looked set to give Bears another famous victory on Sarries turf, but tries from Harrison and Campbell put paid to that.
Bristol Bears | 15. Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, 14. Reneeqa Bonner, 13. Courtney Keight (vc), 12. Phoebe Murray, 11. Millie David, 10. Holly Aitchison, 9. Lucy Burgess; 1. Hannah Botterman, 2. Lark Atkin-Davies, 3. Sarah Bern, 4.Delaney Burns, 5. Abbie Ward (cc), 6. Alisha Joyce-Butchers, 7. Evie Gallagher, 8. Row Marston-Mulhearn.
Replacements: 16. Jess Sprague, 17. Simi Pam, 18. Holly Phillips, 19. Hollie Cunningham, 20. Gabriella Nigrelli, 21. Tilly Ryall, 22. Amy Coles, 23. Ella Lovibond.
