Mia Venner scored a hat-trick of tries as Premiership Girls’s Rugby leaders Gloucester-Hartpury overturned a half-time deficit to clinch a 43-38 victory over Loughborough Lightning.
Venner crossed the road within the opening minute at Franklin’s Gardens earlier than Lizzie Goulden added a second attempt to give Gloucester the early initiative.
However Loughborough responded as tries from Sadia Kabeya and Lilli Ives Campion, transformed by Helena Rowland, turned the sport of their favour.
Gloucester’s activity was made harder when Venner and Goulden have been despatched to the sin earlier than Bo Westcombe-Evans crossed to offer Lightning a 21-12 half-time lead.
Lightning gave the impression to be in ascendancy when Fancy Bermudez and Carmela Morrall powered over the try-line within the second interval to offer them a 19-point cushion at 31-12.
Nevertheless, Venner kick-started the fightback together with her second strive earlier than Hannah Dallavalle and El Perry capitalised on fast dealing with to attract degree.
Venner then notched her hat-trick from a driving maul to edge Gloucester again in entrance, just for Loughborough to nip in entrance when Alev Kelter crossed the road and Rowland booted over the extras.
However defending champions Gloucester had the ultimate say when Tatyana Heard powered over within the closing moments, with Lleucu George efficiently changing.
In Sunday’s different fixture Sale Sharks claimed a 25-7 dwelling win over Bristol Bears.
Erica Jarrell-Searcy, Shona Campbell and Katie Childs ran over tries for Sale with Pamphinette Buisa the one participant to cross the road for Bristol.
