Wins for top two Gloucester-Hartpury and Harlequins

Leaders Gloucester-Hartpury and second-placed Harlequins were both victorious in their Premiership Women's Rugby matches on Saturday, while there was also a home win for Bristol Bears.

Gloucester-Hartpury were pushed close by third-bottom Trailfinders, who led by three points midway through the second half. But tries from Neve Jones and Nel Metcalfe in the closing stages earned the home side a 33-31 win.

Meanwhile, England full-back Ellie Kildunne helped Harlequins to their 10th consecutive victory with a hat-trick of tries in Quins' 43-10 win at bottom club Sale.

A close first half ended 12-10 in favour of the visitors, who scored 31 unanswered points after the break to register a convincing win.

Quins are three points behind the reigning champions in the table, but have played a game fewer.

At Ashton Gate, Ilona Maher made her first home start for Bristol, but it was Holly Phillips who grabbed the limelight with four of the Bears' seven tries in a 43-29 victory against Leicester Tigers.

While front-rower Phillips' quartet of scores owed plenty to the power of Bristol's forward pack, the hosts also demonstrated some flowing, expansive rugby to create tries for Simi Pam, Millie David and ⁠Gabriella Nigrelli.

The win moved Bristol up to fourth place, although Exeter Chiefs could move back above the Bears if they beat Loughborough Lightning on Sunday.

Tahlia Brody scored two of Leicester's five tries, which earned them a bonus point, but they remain second-bottom in the table.