PWR Cup: Harlequins defeat Bristol Bears with dramatic comeback to secure place in the Final

A quick start from Bristol saw a great passage of play between the backs leading to the first points of the game with a try from Savannah Picton-Powell just two minutes in. However, it wasn’t too long until Harlequins responded with a try of their own just three minutes later, as Fi McIntosh bagged her first try for the Quins.

With the scoreline level, Bristol Bears steamrolled towards the line with Heidi Pashaei-Tarighoun getting across over the white line. However, their lead was short lived, as Sarah Parry flew over the try line just three minutes later to equalise the score. A successful conversion by Ella Cromack pulled Harlequins in front.

Another three minutes later, Harlequins grew their lead as Katie Shillaker danced her way across the tryline. Quins continued to attack, further extending their lead with a powerful try by Nicole Wythe. Bristol Bears finished the first half strong, reating some great phases of play however they still failed to score any further points before the half time whistle.

Bristol Bears started the second half much like they did the first, with a great try from Renee Bonner, who found the gaps in the Harlequins defence. With Hesketh successfully converting the try, the gap closed to 10 points.

Bristol continued their positive second half start with a great combination of play by the backs leading to Ella Lovibond getting herself over that white line, and closing the deficit to just five points. Bristol took the lead with 20 minutes to go, through a converted try by Demelza Short and a brilliant solo score by Renee Bonner.

With 15 minutes to go, Heidi Pashaei-Tarighoun received a red card for a kick to the head of Lauren Torley, giving Harlequins a player advantage for the rest of the game. It wasn’t long until Harlequins used their extra player advantage to Bristol’s lead down, with a try from Hannah Sims and a successful conversion by Ella Cromack. With five minutes remaining, Hannah Sims bagged her second try of the game and along with a successful conversion by Cromack, Harlequins retook the lead for a dramatic win.

Harlequins: 41

Tries: 6 McIntosh (5') Parry (11') Shillaker (15') Wythe (21') Sims (67' 74')

Conversions: 1 Cromack (12' 15' 67' 75')

Penalties: 1 Cromack (37')

Starting XV: 1 Jessie Spurrier, 2 Connie Powell, 3 Lizzie Hanlon, 4 Fi McIntosh, 5 Natasha Logan, 6 Maddy Page, 7 Sara Svoboda, 8 Nicole Wythe, 9 Emma Swords, 10 Ella Cromack, 11 Beth Wilcock, 12 Lagi Tuima (C) 13 Sarah Parry, 14 Katie Shillaker, 15 Lauren Torley

Replacements: 16 Maja Meuller, 17 Hannah Sims, 18 Ruby Winstanley, 19 Tyla Shirley, 20 Izzy Hannay, 21 Lucy Burgess, 22 Heather Cowell, 23 Amy Layzell

Bristol Bears: 36

Tries: 6 Picton-Powell (2') Pashaei-Tarighoun (8') Bonner (43' 61') Lovibond (52') Short (58')

Conversions: 3 Hesketh (44') Evans (59' 62')

Red Cards: 1 Pashaei-Tarighoun (73')

Starting XV: 1 Simi Pam, 2 Rosie Carr, 3 Aisha Jah, 4 Nicola Beet, 5 Delaney Burns (C), 6 Demelza Short, 7 Jenny Herring, 8 Heidi Pashaei-Tarighoun, 9 Tilly Ryall, 10 Natalee Evans, 11 Ella Lovibond, 12 Gabby Radziejowski, 13 Savannah Picton-Powell, 14 Renee Bonner, 15 Jenny Hesketh

Replacements: 16 Maisie Davies, 17 Izzy van der Straaten, 18 Stella Orrin, 19 Natalia John, 20 Jessica Rogers, 21 Rhea Clarke, 22 Lucie Skuse, 23 Seren Singleton.

Try Scoring Bonanza - A total of twelve tries were scored overall with each team scoring six tries each. Six tries were scored in the first 20 minutes of the game, four of which were scored by Harlequins and the remaining two by Bristol Bears. On average a try was scored every three minutes, in the opening 20 minutes of the game.

Comeback Queens - A strong first half from Harlequins meant that Bristol Bears came in at half time with a 17 point gap, however a fast start to the second half saw the momentum swing in Bristol Bears favour, and saw them close the deficit and with 20 minutes to go regain the lead and quickly extend to the lead to nine points with a great solo try by Renee Bonner.

Bristol Bears who at half time looked to be down and out now looked dominant. Harlequins now on the back foot looked to come back from behind. With 15 minutes to go, a red card to Bristol Bear's Heidi Pashaei-Tarighoun, became turning point in the game, and it wasn't long until Harlequins used their player advantage and scored a much needed try. However it still wasn't enough and the deficit was still 2 points. Harlequins continued to attack and with five minutes remaining retake the lead with a try by Hannah Sims which was successfully converted by Ella Cromack.

Super Sims - Super Sub Hannah Sims made a huge impact when she joined the game. She played a key part in the Harlequins' comeback, scoring two tries the first of which closed the points deficit to just two points and the second which was the winning try, pushing Harlequins into the lead and securing their place in the PWR Cup final.

Heidi Pashaei-Tarighoun Red Card - Bristol Bears' Heidi Pashaei-Tarighoun received a red card with just over 15 minutes left of the game to go for a kick to the head of Lauren Torley. This rash, impulsive action by Pashaei-Tarighoun became a huge turning point in the game and gave the opposition the advantage they needed to turn the tide and win the game.

The power of youth - Today's game showed the power and importance of the youth who are coming through. Both teams, had young players throughout their starting XV and their bench and they were key reasons for why the game was so close and exciting. Also it's so positive to see young players getting the nod to play for PWR teams as it shows the younger generation that there is a path there and you can go onto play in a professional environment.