Glouc-Hartpury…..27
Saracens……………..36
Saracens Women put down a marker, as they handed Gloucester-Hartpury their first defeat of the season in a pulsating encounter at Kingsholm.
A physical opening period saw a solitary Flo Williams penalty on the scoreboard for the visitors, before the hosts powered back thanks to a penalty try and a stunning individual score from Sophie Bridger.
Saracens though, would respond right at the end of the half through Marlie Packer, with Mo Hunt sent to the bin for collapsing the maul.
The second half exploded into life, as Jess Breach scored a second stunning try in as many weeks, before Packer added her second.
With Hunt back on the field, Gloucester-Hartpury crossed through Bridger again, but Saracens secured their bonus point after a clever set-play allowed Kelsey Clifford to capitalise.
Sydney Gregson though saw yellow for slowing Hunt as she looked for a quick-tap penalty, with Rachel Lund latching onto a crossfield kick to pull her side back into the mix.
Saracens though, responded again, with Poppy Cleall powering over with five minutes left, to take the game away from the hosts.
Lund added her second of the afternoon and the Cherry and White's fifth, but a miscued conversion meant that Sean Lynn's side had to settle for a solitary point, as their unbeaten run finally ended.
Star player
Marlie Packer -Saracens
