Gloucester-H………. 19 Exeter…………………..58
Exeter Chiefs produced a scintillating performance to thrash table topers Gloucester-Hartpury at the ALPAS arena.
The visitors were the first on the board, with Liv McGoverne slotting a penalty in front of the posts after Gloucester-Hartpury were caught going off their feet at the ruck. The home side hit back two minutes later however, with Sophie Bridger running a beautiful angle to dot down underneath the posts.
If the Chiefs were unsettled by conceding the opening try they certainly didn’t show it, with the returning Hope Rogers barging her way over for her first try of the afternoon in the 10th minute, followed shortly by her USA captain Kate Zackary storming in.
Rogers bagged her second in the 34th minute, however the hosts came roaring back with Welsh winger Lisa Neumann producing a spectacular solo effort to score under the posts.
The visitors made sure they had the final say on the stroke of half time, with Zackary spotting a gap in midfield before racing into the corner to give the Chiefs the bonus point try.
Within three minutes of the restart the spectacular Rogers was bundling her way over the line for her hat-trick, and despite an immediate response from Gloucester-Hartpury, with Sisilia Tuipulotu charging over, Rogers made sure the headlines would belong to her, with the American international once again powering her way over from close range.
Exeter extended their lead when Canadian hooker Emily Tuttosi came up with the ball following an impressive catch and drive lineout, and the visitors moved past 50 soon after, with McGoverne slotting her second penalty of the day.
The Chiefs secured their eighth and final try of the afternoon with five minutes remaining, when, after more concerted pressure, fullback Brooke Bradley stepped inside the despairing cover defence to dive over, and with it secure the Chiefs a home semi final next weekend against last seasons champions Saracens.
Star player: Hope Rogers – Exeter
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