Exeter Chiefs became the third side to guarantee their place in the Premiership Women’s Rugby semi-finals after beating Trailfinders 40-10 in West London. Chiefs will join Saracens and defending champions Gloucester-Hartpury, but there is still one place up for grabs with four games remaining of the regular season. Elsewhere, Shaunagh Brown marked her 100th Harlequins appearance with a try.
Cliodhna Moloney scored twice as Exeter Chiefs booked their place in the Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby semi-finals with a 40-10 triumph over Trailfinders.
The visitors travelled to London requiring a point to secure a top-four finish, and the result never seemed in doubt as they took a 12-0 lead into half-time thanks to tries from Ireland hooker Moloney and Maisy Allen.
Trailfinders’ Elisa Riffonneau was shown a yellow card after the break, opening the floodgates for Robyn Wilkins to score.
Eilidh Sinclair was the next to cross the whitewash before Moloney went over for her second.
Niamh Orchard wrapped up a comfortable win for Chiefs, but England winger Abby Dow touched down twice in the closing stages to get Trailfinders on the scoreboard.
The result leaves a straight shootout between Bristol Bears and Loughborough Lightning for the final semi-final spot.
Bears need two points from their remaining three games to reach the semi-finals, while nothing but four bonus-point wins will do for Lightning.
Saracens and defending champions Gloucester-Hartpury have already qualified for the semi-finals.
Shaunagh Brown marked her 100th club appearance with a try as Harlequins defeated Leicester Tigers 47-12 at the Stoop.
The Red Roses star gave the hosts a 14-0 lead after Amy Layzell’s opener in the ninth minute.
Tigers winger Francesca McGhie got her side back in the game, shooting over the try line from just a few yards out, but Connie Powell restored her side’s 14-point advantage before the break.
Ella Cromack was the next to score, finishing off a fine Quins move, but Tigers would not lie down as McGhie crossed for her second.
Springbok lock Danelle Lochner put the game to bed in the 72nd minute before Izzy Mayhew and Aseza Hele added gloss to an impressive scoreline for the hosts.
Semi-finalists Saracens continued their fine form with a 54-21 triumph over Sale Sharks at StoneX Stadium.
Jess Breach scored a sensational double in the early stages before Sophie Bridger cut through the Sharks defence to extend Sarries’ lead.
Saracens had the bonus-point score after just a quarter of an hour when May Campbell spotted a gap around the fringes of a ruck, but the visitors were gifted a ray of hope when Emma Taylor received a yellow card for a high tackle.
Niamh Swailes crashed over from a driving maul shortly after, and Campbell showed quick thinking to hold the ball up as Sharks hunted for a second, but Akina Gondwe went over before the break to give Sarries the impetus once again.
Tries from Detysha Harper and Sian Jones reduced the deficit to 12 points, but Donna Rose, Sydney Gregson and Georgia Evans scored to wrap up the win for second-place side Saracens.
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