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Home PWR semi-finals confirmed after thrilling final round
By Lucy Lomax
The Premiership Women’s Rugby play-off matches have been confirmed along with who has secured a home semi-final after a thrilling Round 18.
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Saracens will host Harlequins in the first of the weekend’s knock-out fixtures at StoneX Stadium in north London, after a convincing 66-14 win over Sale Sharks sealed second place in the table, whilst reigning champions Gloucester-Hartpury will be at home at Queensholm against Bristol Bears after they finished the regular season in impressive style with a dominant 52-12 win over Harlequins.
Both PWR semi-final matches can be watched for free on RugbyPass TV (outside of the UK, Ireland, USA and Canada).
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The final round of the regular season also saw two dramatic finishes with Loughborough Lightning and Exeter Chiefs coming out on top in their respective fixtures.
With all final round fixtures kicking off under the Friday Night Lights, already assured of top spot, you could argue Gloucester-Hartpury had little to play for except to make a statement ahead of the play-offs, and a statement they made.
The Circus ran in eight tries reaching over a half a century of points against a strong Quins side to head into this weekend’s semi-finals on a huge high and full of confidence of retaining their title.
To ensure a home semi, Saracens needed a win against bottom placed Sale Sharks and they took control of the game from the start wrapping up the bonus-point score on the half-hour before Sharks got their first points of the night through Italy international Beatrice Rigoni.
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However, Sarries continued to push on, crossing a total of ten times to put the game beyond doubt and secure a play-off spot in their own back yard against London rivals Quins.
Despite not qualifying for the final run in of the season, Loughborough Lightning and Trailfinders Women went toe-to-toe as the home side claimed a dramatic victory with Helena Rowland’s last-gasp drop goal at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.
In a game that would decide who finished sixth, Trailfinders mounted a huge comeback to lead after being 19-5 down.
However, with six minutes to find a winner, the African Violet’s discovered it through Rowland’s boot to ensure Rachel Malcom and Hallie Taufoou were given a winning send-off in their final matches for the club.
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Rounding off the regular fixtures, Exeter Chiefs recorded a final win in what has been a disappointing end to their season against Leicester Tigers at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
Emily Tuttosi was the heroine for the visitors after she crossed twice to give Exeter Chiefs a 19-24 victory to close out their PWR campaign.
Meg Jones gave the home side the lead for the first time ten minutes into the second half, but Tuttosi responded from close range to make it 19-19. And when a late Tigers penalty attempt fell short, Tuttosi scored her second to mean the Chiefs finish fifth in the table.
Both PWR semi-final matches can be watched for free on RugbyPass TV (outside of the UK, Ireland, USA and Canada).
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