Metcalfe rounds off another stirring Gloucester-hartpury fightback

NEL Metcalfe’s last-gasp try saw Gloucester-hartpury claim their ninth consecutive Premiership Women’s Rugby win as they came from behind to defeat Bristol 24-19 at Kingsholm.

A break from Natasha ‘Mo’ Hunt secured an early lead for Gloucester-hartpury and her try was converted by Emma Sing.

Bristol levelled when Holly Aitchison snuck through a gap down the blindside to touch down and Amber Reed converted.

On the stroke of half time, the Bears took the lead when a driving line out was shoved over by the pack from close range, Lana Skeldon claiming the try, Reed’s conversion making it 14-7.

Bristol came out flying in the second half and scored their third try in similar fashion to their second, Skeldon again the beneficiary of an unstoppable driving maul.

Gloucester-hartpury started the fightback as Millie Hyett marked her first start of the season with a try.

They levelled the scores at 19-19 as Neve Jones came up with the ball in a driving maul and Sing slotted a touchline conversion.

The winning score came when Hunt took advantage of another scrum penalty with a quick tap in the Bristol half, racing into the 22 and Metcalfe drove over powerfully from close range, with the clock in the red.

Thirteen Gloucester-hartpury players have been included in the Wales squad for the upcoming Women’s Six Nations.

There is a return to the squad for Gwen Crabb, who has made a return from injury.

There is a potential debut for Gwennan Hopkins, while in the pack, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Abbey Constable, Kate Williams, Kelsey Jones, Bethan Lewis and Cerys Hale feature.

In the backs, Metcalfe looks to add to her solo Welsh cap, and also selected are Lleucu George, Kerin Lake, Cath Richards and Hannah Jones, who will likely lead the squad again this campaign.

In Women’s Championship South West 2, Cheltenham II lost 48-22 at Havant, despite tries for Alicia Watkins, Chloe-may Barton and Katie Britt, Anna Howes kicking two conversions and a penalty.

Leah Parry and Katie Thomson scored Dursley’s tries as they won 20-15 over Thornbury in Women’s NC 2 South West (North), the rest of the points coming from Scoot Mansell’s boot, with two conversions and two penalties, while Hucclecote had a walkover against Tewkesbury.

Leeanne Huxley scored four of Cheltenham Civil Service’s tries in their 40-10 Women’s NC 3 South West (North) win over Fairford.

Bethany Price (two), Salome Ash and Freya Heath got the others, with Charlie Rymer and Donna Smith-ducker touching down for Fairford.