PWR: Christiana Balogun lifts Bristol Bears to new heights

By Stewart McCullogh

Harlequins …… 10

Bristol …………..19

Bristol are still in the play-off conversation with following this impressive victory at The Stoop.

The Bears scored three tries through Phoebe Murray, Alisha Joyce-Butchers and Sarah Bern. Controlled throughout the 80 minutes, Amber Reed’s experience came to the fore in the backline, while Christiana Balogun was a colossal presence in the pack.

“The four points was the most important thing and we did everything we could do to keep the pressure on Exeter,” said Bristol head coach Dave Ward. “The girls did that and our defensive effort was outstanding. We’ve played our league season now, so we’ll see if results go our way.”

Match Action

Bears scored the first try 10 minutes in when Murray sliced through. The centre burst onto a flat pass from Lark Atkin-Davies, before fending off a flurry of Quins defenders.

Quins responded on the half hour through Ellie Kildunne, who chased onto Lucy Packer’s grubber to touchdown.

Five-all with neither side converting their opening scores, it was Bristol who struck a hammer blow to Quins’ hopes of finishing the regular season in top spot when Joyce-Butchers crossed five minutes before the break.

The Wales back row was at the heart of a well-worked short lineout to waltz in at the corner. Holly Aitchison’s conversion gave the visitors a 12-5 interval lead.

Kildunne cut the gap to 12-10 in the opening stages of the second half, weaving her way to the line for her 13th try of the season and her second of the game.

Bristol rallied and on the hour England prop Bern crashed through to score. Aitchison added a crucial conversion to give Bears breathing space going into the dying embers as they held on to what could be a season-changing victory.