Saracens beat London rivals Quins – PWR round-up

After a blistering first-half start at home against London rival Harlequins, Saracens won 47-10 to officially launch their Premiership Women’s Rugby campaign.

In the opening 10 minutes, Sarries bounced back from a devastating defeat in their first game against Gloucester Hartpury, the PWR final opponent, with the help of Alysha Corrigan, Kelsey Clifford, and Jemma-Jo Linkins.

Ellie Kildunne, an England star, scored one of the team’s seven tries overall as Quins lost their first game of the season.

Red Roses full-back Kildunne was making her 50th appearance for Quins, but Saracens was the one to start the game at StoneX Stadium.

When Katie Shillaker scored wide to put Quins on the board, Corrigan opened the scoring just after the second minute, when the visitors were already leading 19-0.

In the 28th minute, Poppy Cleall was sent off for the home team, but they then doubled their lead with Laets Royer’s debut try before the break.

At the start of the second half, Sydney Gregson scored Corrigan for her second try, but Louise McMillan and Amelia MacDougall added two late tries for Sarries while Kildunne scored for Quins for 33-10 with seven minutes left.

In Scott Lawson’s first game in charge of last season’s fourth-place finishers, Bristol Bears defeated Leicester Tigers to open their campaign with a 12-try victory.

At Mattioli Woods Welford Road, speedy winger Reneeq Bonner scored a hat-trick, with Millie David dominating with four impressive tries.

Evie Gallagher, Amy Dale, and Holly Phillips each received a try, along with Ella Lovibond, and there was also a couple.

The Bears’ only negative aspect was center Phoebe Miller’s injury, who had to be forced off midway through the first half to put on crutches.

After making her first appearance of the season at Loughbrough Lightning, World Cup winner Holly Aitchison was unable to lead Sale Sharks to a second victory in as many games.

Sadia Kabeya and Lilli Ives Campion, the home team, rallied from a dismal start to the season to record a 19-12 victory at Franklin’s Gardens.

Haineala Lutui touched down twice in the second half, while Tahlia Brody scored a try for Lightning on her debut.