Match Report: Bristol Bears Women 38-21 Exeter Chiefs Women

What happened?

It was an electric start for the hosts as Phoebe Murray’s arcing run saw her canter over the try line inside the first five miniutes in what was an ideal start for Dave Ward’s side

With the sun beaming down in BS16 both sides looked to play expansive rugby and it wouldn’t take long for Exeter to hit back as Flo Robinson dotted down, before Kate Zackary then put the Chiefs in the driving seat.

Bears Women hit back before the half-time whistle sounded through debutant Hannah West, who powered her way over the whitewash off the back of a strong rolling maul.

The hosts emerged from the sheds trailing 12-14, but that wouldn’t be for long. A lineout move straight from the training paddock saw Hannah West bag her second and put the Bears ahead.

Dogged defence from the Bears saw them keep the Chiefs at bay before they stretched their lead out to ten points courtesy of a penalty try.

Chiefs then responded through Zackary’s second of the afternoon, but their fightback was short-lived.

First, Siwan Lillicrap crashed over from another bulldozing driving maul and then Lucy Burgess put the cherry on the cake with an audacious dummy and step to snipe over whitewash.

TEAMS:

Bristol Bears Women: 15. Jasmine Joyce, 14. Grace Crompton, 13. Pheobe Murray, 12. Amber Reed (CC), 11. Jenny Hesketh, 10. Elinor Snowsill, 9. Keira. Bevan; 1. Simi Pam, 2. Hannah West, 3. Sarah Bern, 4. Natalia John, 5. Abbie Ward (CC), 6. Alisha Butchers, 7. Manon Johnes, 8. Siwan Lillicrap

Replacements: 16. Robyn Lock, 17. China Kill, 18. Sophie Phillips, 19. Hollie Cunningham, 20. Daisie Mayes, 21. Lucy Burgess, 22. Lucie Skuse, 22. Megan Webb

Exeter Chiefs Women: 15. Merryn Doidge, 14. Janine Duncan, 13. Lottie Holland, 12. Kanako Kobayashi, 11. Laura Sheehan, 10. Gabby Cantorna, 9. Flo Robinson; 1. Sachiko Kato, 2. Emily Tuttosi, 3. Daleaka Menin, 4. Poppy Leitch, 5. McKinley Hunt, 6. Ebony Jefferies, 7. Kate Zackary, 8. Linde Van Der Velden

Replacements: 16. Clara Nielson, 17. Jess Thomas, 18. Abby Fleming, 19. Rachel Johnson, 20. Maisy Allen, 21. Brooke Bradley. 22. Caitlin Lewis, 23. Olivia Jones

REACTION:

💬 “The fans were awesome - how good was it when the cheers went up!” @Dave_Ward2 reflects on an opening day win in front of a record crowd. 🐻 pic.twitter.com/ltCVrUdb3R

— Bristol Bears Women (@BristolBearsW) September 4, 2021

💬 “That was a great game of rugby. We stuck to our processes and worked hard for each other in hot conditions.”@SiwanLillicrap on Bears Women’s opening day win over the Chiefs. 🎙 pic.twitter.com/iC30zttW1Z

— Bristol Bears Women (@BristolBearsW) September 4, 2021

Play of the day: 

One for you Union lovers 👌

pic.twitter.com/FApv7RhO3k

— Bristol Bears Women (@BristolBearsW) September 4, 2021