Underwood the hero as Glos halt Sarries
MID-TABLE Gloucester-Hartpury came from 14 points down to prevent a Saracens victory – only the second time the league leaders have been denied in the Tyrrells Premier 15s so far this season.
Winger Ellie Underwood scored a hat-trick for Gloucester with Mary-Ann Gittings getting the try to complete the comeback on 70 minutes and earn a share of the spoils.
The visitors had opened the scoring with winger Kelly Smith going over after just nine minutes but the home side, who’s only defeat this season came away at Wasps in Round 13, soon replied with a try of their own.
Fly-half Helena Rowland then found space to go in under the sticks and a successful conversion gave Saracens a 7-5 lead after 13 minutes.
However, Gloucester-Hartpury soon retook the lead when the flying Underwood got the first of her trio of tries but again the visitors were unable to add the much-needed conversion.
And the powerful Saracens made them pay when Ellena Perry dotted down to give the home side a 12-10 advantage after 26 minutes of play.
The see-saw game swung back to Gloucester though as a series of lovely hands from their backs created enough space out wide for Underwood to dive over for her second try of the afternoon.
England’s Lotte Clapp put the home side back ahead at the break as she went over in the corner for Saracens third try as they led 17-15 after a thrilling opening 40 at Allianz Park.
And the league leaders had the bonus point score soon after the interval as Sonia Green went over from close range to stretch their lead to seven points.
Cara Wardle had Saracens’ fifth try with 63 minutes played and the table-toppers, at 29-15 to the good, looked set to record their 14th win of the league campaign.
The visitors though had other ideas as Underwood completed a muchdeserved hat-trick on 67 minutes with Gittings’ converted score at the death earning them a share of the spoils.
Saracens remain top of the league table, but their advantage at the summit is cut to just three points with Harlequins’ huge win over Worcester Valkyries enabling them to keep pace with the leaders.