Women’s Premiership Rugby: Gloucester-Hartpury beat Saracens as Kelsey Jones scores three tries and is sent off

Gloucester-Hartpury extended their unbeaten run with victory over leaders Saracens to narrow the gap at the top of the table to one point.

Elsewhere Bristol Bears consolidated their top four place with a 26-7 victory over Harlequins.

And Loughborough Lightning kept pace with the top four with a 45-21 victory over Trailfinders Women.

At Kingsholm, Jones gave Gloucester the lead before May Campbell levelled.

After Poppy Cleall was sin-binned for dragging down a maul, Jones restored the lead.

She put the Cherry and Whites further ahead before being sent off for a head-on-head tackle with 18 minutes to play.

Bryony Field scored for Sarries to give the leaders hope but Emma Sing broke clear to put the home side further ahead.

It meant Coreen Grant’s late score was nothing more than a consolation for Sarries.

At Shaftesbury Park Deborah Wills crossed to give Bristol Bears the lead, which was extended when Amber Reed bundled over. A Delaney Burns try early in the second half put daylight between the sides and Hannah Botterman sealed it late on after Hannah Sims had scored Quins’ only try.

Loughborough Lightning started quickly against Trailfinders at Loughborough University, Helen Nelson and Sadia Kabeya giving the hosts a 12-0 lead after 12 minutes.

Carys Cox responded for Trailfinders but Kabeya crossed for a second time and Catherine O’Donnell and Bulou Mataitoga then crossed to give Lightning a healthy lead.

Vicky Laflin’s try on the stroke of half-time narrowed the gap, then Sarah Seye touched down for Trailfinders’ third, but late scores from Helena Rowland and Chloe Rollie ensured Lightning won for the first time at home this season.