PWR: Trailfinders stun Gloucester-Hartpury to advance to final

The Trailfinders held off Gloucester-Hartpury as they beat the reigning champions 29-26 to reach their first Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) final.

They will play Saracens for the title on Sunday 28 June, who were 40–38 winners against Exeter Chiefs in the other semi-final.

Hosts Gloucester-Hartpury have won the title for the past three seasons and took the lead at Kingsholm – rebadged as Queensholm for the PWR play-offs – through a Tatiana Heard try.

However, the Trailfinders, who only joined the PWR in 2023 and had never finished higher than sixth, responded with four unanswered tries in their first PWR semi-final.

Maya Montiel, Meg Jones, Isla Norman-Bell and Emma Uren each went over the line as the visitors went into half-time with a 24-7 lead.

Gloucester-Hartpury started a comeback after the break and a Rachel Lund try reduced the deficit to 10 points.

Georgia Brock was next to touch down for the home side as they closed to within three points of their opponents.

But Norman-Bell scored his second try of the match to give the Trailfinders a 29-21 lead and some much-needed breathing space.

And, despite a try from Hannah Dalaval for Gloucester-Hartpury, the Trailfinders held off their hosts to secure a hard-fought win.