Trailfinders booked their place in the Premiership Women’s Rugby play-offs by ending three-time defending champions Gloucester-Hartpury’s 14-game unbeaten run.
England international Meg Jones inspired the hosts, who claimed a statement 41-39 victory against the league leaders as PWR resumed after a two-month break during which the Red Roses secured their eighth successive Women’s Six Nations title.
The result moved Trailfinders into the fourth and final play-off spot with one round of the regular season remaining – level on 46 points with third-placed Exeter Chiefs.
Despite the defeat, Gloucester-Hartpury remain top of the table with 72 points followed by Saracens with 61 points in second place.
Trailfinders made a bright start and opened the scoring when Georgia Ponsonby went over from a driving maul but Emma Sing, Kelsey Jones and Mia Venner scored tries as Gloucester raced into a 15-7 lead.
However, it was Trailifinders who led 17-15 at the break with Alivia Leatherman and Haidee Head both touching down.
Jones then set up Ella Amory to extend their lead after the restart but Gloucester’s Beth Lewis reduced the gap to four points.
Emma Uren and Carys Cox then increased Trailfinders’ advantage to 38-22, capitalising as the visitors had two players in the sin-bin.
Lewis, Neve Jones and Abigail Pritchard scored tries as Gloucester threatened a late comeback, but Trailfinders, who added a Rosie Inman penalty, held on to reach the semi-finals.
Exeter will face second-from-bottom Bristol Bears on Saturday.
