Bristol go fourth in PWR with win against Exeter

BBC

Sat, 8 Feb 2025, 1:01 pm·1-min read

Ilona Maher of Bristol Bears — American Ilona Maher made her debut for Bristol Bears in January [Getty Images]

Bristol Bears moved up to fourth place in the Premiership Women's Rugby and boosted their play-off hopes with a comfortable 45-17 victory over Exeter Chiefs.

Four first-half tries at Ashton Gate secured Bristol an early bonus point.

Exeter, who slip from fourth to fifth, are three points behind Bristol with a game in hand.

Bristol hooker Lark Atkin-Davies scored a hat-trick of tries, Olympic bronze medallist Ilona Maher added two and scrum-half Keira Bevan and lock Abbie Ward were also on the scoresheet.

American Maher, 28, signed for Bristol on a three-month deal in December to help her chances of making the US team for the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup this summer.

Also on Saturday, Trailfinders took a step towards a top-six finish by beating bottom side Sale Sharks 33-20.

Tries by Kate Zackary, Grace White and Abi Burton, plus two by Julia Schell, secured a bonus point win for the visitors.

Trailfinders are two points behind sixth-placed Loughborough Lightning with a game in hand.