The match – at a renamed Kingsholm Stadium – was a repeat of last season’s final and as they did last June the Bears came out dominating possession and territory, pinning the hosts inside their own half for the first 15 minutes.

They were rewarded when Lark Atkin-Davies spun out of a maul in the corner to open the scoring, and the England hooker doubled their advantage nine minutes later in the same fashion in the opposite corner.

Gloucester-Hartpury, however, showed their patience and clinical ruthless best, scoring on each of their first three visits to the Bears 22, with El Perry and Sarah Beckett both powering over.

And when Bristol were reduced to 14 after number eight Evie Gallagher was sent to the sin-bin before the break, Sing darted through to make it 19-10.

Bristol were the last side to beat Gloucester-Hartpury in the league back in November and they stayed in the contest. Simi Pam broke through the hosts’ line and a quick ball out wide found Maher to score her fourth try in seven matches.