Gloucester-Hartpury overcame Exeter Chiefs in a hard-fought Premier 15s final 2023 to win their first league title.
Gloucester-Hartpury overcame Exeter Chiefs in a hard-fought Premier 15s final to win their first league title.
Kelsey Jones, Rachel Lund and Sarah Beckett gave Gloucester a 17-7 half-time lead, with Emily Tuttosi replying.
A penalty try after Claudia MacDonald slapped the ball away from danger extended the Cherry and Whites' lead.
Liv McGoverne's score gave Exeter hope but Lisa Neumann sealed the title at Gloucester's temporarily rebranded 'Queensholm' Stadium.
Ebony Jeffries touched down with a late consolation for the visitors but it was the Cherry and Whites, playing in their first final, who deservedly celebrated at the final whistle.
Sean Lynn's side, who finished top of the league in the regular season, triumphed in front of a record final crowd of 9,668 - in what was the first showpiece played by two teams from outside London.
Kingsholm Stadium, chosen as the venue during the campaign, was rebranded as 'Queensholm' for the week to mark the occasion and the match more than lived up to expectations, despite the hot and humid conditions.
There was heartache for Exeter as they fell to their second successive final defeat and failed to add the league title to their Allianz Cup triumph.
Premier 15s final 2023: Gloucester-Hartpury v Exeter Chiefs, point scores.
Gloucester-Hartpury: (17) 34
Tries: K Jones, Lund, Beckett, Penalty, Neumann Pens: Sing Cons: Sing 2
Exeter Chiefs: (7) 19
Tries: Tuttosi, McGoverne, Jeffries Cons: McGoverne, Cantorna
Women's Rugby Union: Premier 15s finals Past Champions List
2017-2018 - Saracens 24-20 Harlequins
2018-2019 - Saracens 33-17 Harlequins
2019-2020 - Season cancelled due to Covid-19
2020-2021 - Harlequins 25-17 Saracens
2021-2022 - Saracens 43-21 Exeter Chiefs
2022-2023 - Gloucester-Hartpury 34-19 Exeter Chiefs
2023-24 - TBD
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