Gloucester-Hartpury took maximum points from their trip North after an impressive performance at the Northern Echo Arena. The opening quarter was closely fought, with the hosts well in the game until a string of 5 second half tries put the result beyond doubt. Gloucester-Hartpury opened the scoring inside the first 5 minutes, as winger Kelly Smith pounced on a loose ball to race away for the game’s opening try. Undeterred, the Sharks hit back through a well worked try from Beth Blacklock to level the scoring. The visitors retook the lead shortly after through Mary-Ann Gittings, before Sharks’ captain Heather Kerr dotted down to even the scores at 14-14. The away side wrapped up the 4 try bonus point inside the half, with two tries in 10 minutes. First Zoe Aldcroft scored against her former side, before Georgia Bradley crossed to make the half time score 14-28.

The second 40 was dominated by the visitors, who scored 29 unanswered points to put the game to bed. Tamzin Bricknell got her side’s fifth try after a dominant scrum, before Tatyana Heard powered over for her side’s sixth. Further scores from Underwood and Gill put the result beyond any doubt, and full back Gittings rounded off the scoring shortly before full time to take her personal haul to 22 points. Despite the wide margin, the Sharks battled well throughout and will no doubt take heart from a competitive opening quarter.

The Sharks now welcome champions Saracens to the Arena next week, while Gloucester-Hartpury travel to Bristol Bears.