By Megan Jenkins at Principality Stadium
Bristol Bears came back to win 17-14 against Harlequins with a second half masterclass in front of a record home crowd at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
The Bears took the lead within the first four minutes as Christina Balogun ploughed her way through Harlequins’ defensive line to score. Bears missed out on an additional two points as Keira Bevan hit the far post.
The lead lasted until the 20th minute when Harlequins spread the ball across the back line for their first try of the game, scored by Beth Wilcock. They then scored again in the 34th minute when Aoife Wafer crashed over. Both conversions were landed by Ella Cromack.
Bears upped the tempo in the last moments of the first half when Reneeqa Bonner broke through, but although it forced Quins into panic mode it wasn’t enough to get the try.
Bears number 13 Emma Orr gave a player of the match performance in the second half as she scored a brace.
The first came in the 53rd minute when Orr picked up the ball from a Bonner chip to make it 10-14. Bevan successfully converted.
The second came 10 minutes later. Bears spread the ball across the back line before Orr forced her way through the Quins defensive wall.
The Bears win closed the gap between the two in the Premiership Women’s Rugby table to eight points and all but ended Quins’ hopes of a top four berth.