Gloucester-Hartpury scored seven tries to emerge 47-31 bonus-point winners against an impressive Saracens side at Kingsholm and claim a much-needed Premiership Women's Rugby victory.

The two-time champions survived a barrage of Saracens attacks before stretching their lead in the late stages of the game to score their sixth win of the season.

Gloucester-Hartpury sit third in the table, five points behind leaders Exeter, who they meet at Sandy Park this weekend.

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The Circus were quickly into their work and dominated the opening quarter and raced to a 12-0 lead.

Kate Williams was first in when she powered over following a dominant line out drive for Gloucester-Hartpury’s opening score of the game.

Nel Metcalfe got the second try after some lovely hands from Ellie Green and Emma Sing put Metcalfe into the corner, Sing opening the lead up to 12-0 with a fine conversion.

Saracens fought back and got themselves back into the game after a converted Rosie Galligan try and Zoe Harrison penalty, making it 12-10.

Scrum-half Natasha Hunt looked to have given the hosts a bit of breathing space when she sniped over for an opportunistic score in the 35th minute, but Saracens hit back straight away when Harrison got on the scoresheet again, this time with a five-pointer.

The fly-half’s converted try took the scores to 19-17 at the half time break, with the game nicely poised.

The second half began perfectly for Gloucester-Hartpury when Emma Sing went over for one of the tries of the season so far.

She picked up the ball just inside the Saracens half, stepped inside and broke free.

With Harrison tracking across to make the tackle, the full-back showed great pace to avoid her and dot down.

But as had been the case in the first half, Saracens were straight back on the offensive and cut Gloucester-Hartpury’s lead to just two when Harrison got in for her second try.

The two sides traded tries once again, taking the scoreline to 33-31.

Player of the match Maud Muir finished off a wonderful team try as Sarah Beckett showed some wonderful hands to draw the last line of Sarries defence and put the tighthead over.

Saracens responded quickly with Kelsey Clifford going over to bring it back to a two-point game yet again and a tense final 15 minutes was on the cards.

But Gloucester-Hartpury turned the screw heading into the last 10 minutes when Neve Jones and Mackenzie Carson made it a hat trick of scores for the front row.

The Circus had a 47-31 lead at this point and controlled the final exchanges to finish off an authoritative win, going leading into the massive match with the Chiefs.

Cheltenham Tigers climbed to second in Women’s Championship North 1 as they beat Lichfield 57-14.

Mary-Ann Gittings scored two of their nine tries and kicked six conversions with Kathryn Craine, Shauna Bennett, Natalie Kidd, Freya Jones, Meg Mambé, Bethan Jones and Tara Godby scoring the others.

In Women’s Championship South West 2, there were defeats for Cheltenham’s second XV and Drybrook.

Cheltenham lost 25-12 to Reading Abbey despite tries for Nicki Davenhill and Eleanor Beech, Madi Williams with a conversion.

Exeter Athletic Dakota were too strong for Drybrook, winning 91-5, Dorrie Morley with the Forest side’s try.

Hucclecote edged out NC 1 Midlands (West) rivals Crewe & Nantwich with a 22-20 win.

Jo Harris, Abi Taylor, Abi Potter and Ella Matthews got their tries, with Potter adding a conversion.

Leah Parry crossed for a hat-trick as Dursley won a thrilling contest 43-35 at Greyhound in NC 2 South West (North).

Roxanne Kendall (two), Jaz Parsons and Vicky Mansell-Mei scored the others with Mansell-Mei adding three conversions and Kendall one.

In NC 3 South West North, Cheltenham North were 90-0 winners over Cheltenham Civil Service.

Anna Stanley-Jones scored four tries with two each for Cat Westley and Georgia Cass.

Molly McEvoy, Hannah Cook, Kirstie Grimshaw and Megan Long were also among the scorers with Rosie Joines in form with the boot.

Fairford were 32-5 winners at Chippenham, Charlie Rymer with a hat-trick of tries.

Amber Moran with two and Alice Farnell also crossed, Farnell with a conversion.

Minchinhampton secured their first victory in the league with a 29-17 away win at Old Cryptians.

They scored tries through Chloe Oakford (two), Kayana Mutalindwa, Kara Fraser and Izzy Haines, Rhian Evans with two conversions.

Mackenzie Lewis scored two tries for Cryptians, Josie Workman with the other while Natasha Wood kicked a conversion.