Late agony for Bears in thrilling clash with Chiefs
IT was heartbreak for Bristol Bears Women as the Exeter Chiefs Women snatched the South West derby bragging rights in the final moments with a 31-27 victory at Shaftesbury Park.
Jasmine Joyce put in a worldclass display for the Bears, crossing the chalk on three occasions. However, it would be Garnet Mackinder’s late score that would prove to be the difference between the sides
The visitors started the brighter of the two teams and opened the scoring inside the first five minutes. Ill-discipline from the hosts allowed the Chiefs to advance into the 22 and see Linde Van der Velden power over from short range.
Bristol managed to level the scoring five minutes later. The hosts recycled the ball through the hands to find Joyce in space on the left wing, and the speedster didn’t need a second invitation. Her turn of pace and quick feet saw her accelerate down the wing and draw the Bears level.
Soon after, Joyce would have her second try. She pounced on a loose ball and it was a flat-out foot race, which was only going to have one winner. The Welsh flyer hared down the wing to put her side in front. Next, it would be the Chiefs’ turn to deal a blow. Lottie Holland collected Gabby Cantorna’s neat crossfield kick and set the visitors on their way, before Ebony Jefferies hit a stunning line to scythe through the Bears defence and draw Chiefs level.
Elinor Snowsill nudged the Bears ahead via a penalty goal, and then the last score of the half would fall to Exeter as Laura Delgado rumbled over off the back of a driving maul. Chiefs went into the interval with their noses in front at 19-17.
Following the resumption of the action, both teams struggled to get a foothold in the game and apply scoreboard pressure.
Then a moment came which could have swung the game. Joyce’s quick feet allowed her to beat three Chiefs defender until she was met by Garcia Rodriguez, who unintentionally flipped Joyce over her shoulder and on to her head. The referee deemed it a dangerous tackle and the scrum-half was shown a red card.
With a player advantage, the Bears needed to capitalise. Step up, Joyce. Kayleigh Powell’s arcing run created a gap in the five-metre channel for Joyce to glide down the touchline and beat the final
defender and secure her second hat-trick of the season.
With the game approaching the final ten minutes, Exeter kept themselves in the game and took the lead via hooker Emily Tuttosi, who crashed over from a driving
maul. From the restart the lead would change hands yet again. Hollie Cunningham forced a penalty, which Snowsill duly converted to give the Bears a 27-26 lead with seven minutes left.
It would be heartbreak for the Bears as Mackinder finished a sweeping move in the corner and managed to ground the ball with the tips of her fingers to hand the Chiefs a 31-27 derby day victory.