Report: Gloucester-Hartpury win 22-33 at Quins to make it eight on the bounce

Gloucester-Hartpury extended their winning streak in the Allianz Prem 15s to eight games after beating Harlequins in an eight try extravaganza at the Twickenham Stoop.

Rachel Lund scored within minutes with three further Gloucester tries from Hannah Jones, Bethan Lewis, and Zoe Aldcroft, replies from Harlequins’ Emily Scott and Chloe Edwards not quite enough as the visitors went 12-26 ahead at the break.

A quieter second half saw just a try a piece as Sam Monaghan’s burt through was equalled by Ellie Kildunne’s scorcher, but the league leaders held on to continue their faultless start to the league.

In a match where Gloucester-Hartpury were looking for their first win over Harlequins since 2018, Sean Lynn’s side showed their intent early on going direct with their attack.

Gloucester scored early through Rachel Lund in the left corner, strong carrying from Sisila Tuipulotu sucking in the Harlequins defense from the base.

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Quins were not to be outdone when it came to passing throwing the ball around, with the sunshine out at a chilly Stoop.

Sarah Bonar went on the loose down the right-hand side skipping past through some unwilling tacklers offloading to Freya Aucken who found Emily Scott. Scott tip-toed around the touchline to dot down Quins’ reply, leaving the score at five a piece.

Harlequins were being bossed around the gain line and it was only a matter of time when the Quins forwards over-folded to the blind side. Natasha ‘Mo’ Hunt found Hannah Jones who went in untouched to put Gloucester-Hartpury 12-5 ahead with Emma Sing adding the extras.

The intelligent boot of scrumhalf Mo Hunt kept Gloucester deep in Quins territory. Zoe Aldcroft and Laura Delgado won valuable meters with strong carries, eventually allowing Bethan Lewis to power through and put the league leaders 19-5 ahead.

What Hunt was doing with her boot, Quins were doing with their rolling mall. After winning a breakdown penalty and choosing the lineout, the Quins forwards relentlessly picked and went until the Gloucester defense finally gave in, Chloe Edwards to score under the posts.

Two further tries were Beth Lewis for Gloucester- Hartpury and Zoe Aldcroft for Quins sealed the half, the visitors 12-26 the better.

The second-half started with Gloucester-Hartpury losing try scorer Bethan Lewis to what seemed like a neck injury. The breakdown continued to haunt Quins as they seemed to get penalized most of the time they made headway into the Gloucester territory.

A rejuvenated Quins pack came back with some intent using that rolling maul to rumble over the try line, Amy Cokayne at the base with the score. Scott did not slot the conversion, so the deficit remained at nine points.

Some consistent play through the hands helped Gloucester-Hartpury make valuable yardage in the Quins half. Eventually it was Monaghan’s turn to score, leaping her way across the line after some quick ball from Hunt at the base of the ruck. Lleucu George converted and Gloucester-Hartpury were on course to a first victory at the Stoop in four years.

However, in typical fashion, Quins were not done. A pinpoint Lagi Tuima pass found the quick and sneaky Ellie Kildunne, who side stepped past a Gloucester-Hartpury defender to score out wide.

Harlequins will be frustrated with their performance up front, but losing to a hugely physical Gloucester side is no embarrassment. The show rolls on as at the top of the table; how far can Gloucester-Hartpurty keep it rolling?