Gloucester-Hartpury continued their 100% start to the Premiership Women’s Rugby season with a 22-7 win at Sale Sharks.
The defending champions made it nine wins from nine and went 10 points clear of second-placed Saracens with their bonus-point victory.
They hit the front inside two minutes as Mia Venner went over after a purposeful dash to the line, before Kelsey Jones and Sale’s Amelia Hyndman traded tries. Emma Sing then dotted down in the corner to give the Cherry and Whites a 17-7 half-time lead.
Dan Murphy’s side added another score after the break from centre Rachel Lund, sliding over in the muddy conditions to complete a successful trip.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Bristol Bears and Trailfinders played out a thrilling 26-26 draw at Shaftesbury Park.
Bristol Bears burst into a 21-0 lead in the first half and held a 26-19 advantage with three minutes to go.
But Trailfinders’ Emma Uren sprinted in late on and Niamh Gallagher held her nerve to add the extras.
