Trailfinders secure their first home win of the season with seven tries against Bristol Bears on Saturday (15 November 2025).

A physical start from Trailfinders saw them dominant in the opening scrum. Bristol kept their defence tight but conceded an early penalty. Discipline let Bristol down and the referee showed Simi Tam a yellow card after five minutes of the game.

Trailfinders continued to recycle the ball five metres out from the try line. Bristol’s defence remained strong despite conceding penalties.

Trailfinders continued to drive forward towards the try line with great success. It was Black Fern Alana Borland to get the ball down and score the first try of the game. Meg Jones narrowly missed the conversion on the angle.

Trailfinders continued to press through Bristol’s tight defence. Georgia Ponsonby secured the second score after Trailfinders mauled towards the line. Jones converted the extras.

The visitors were not to be silenced though. They quickly responded with a try of their own scored by Simi Pam after she’d returned to the field from her sin bin period. Keira Bevan slotted the conversion.

The fierce contest continued in the centre of the field as each side fought for metres. Bristol used the power of their forwards to maul forward and secure territory in the Trailfinders 22.

Bristol made further ground with a final powerful carry by Sarah Bern saw the visitors secure their second try. Bevan successfully converted.

Trailfinders bounced back and secured another penalty. Jones kicked to the corner. Bristol turned the ball over but knocked the ball on two metres out from their try line. Trailfinders won the scrum and took the ball out to the short side. Bristol forced Claire Gallagher into touch.

Trailfinders found turnover ball and pressed forward in attack. With the ball being recycled towards the right wing, Jones picked her line and found some space. An offload to Julia Schell onto Grace White saw Trailfinders secure their third try.

The physical contest continued in the centre of the field. Trailfinders were held up on the try line just before half-time. A goal line drop out was gathered by C. Gallagher.

Trailfinders forwards carried ball down field and it was Borland who broke through and scored the bonus-point try. Jones slotted the conversion giving Trailfinders the lead at half-time.

Half-time: Trailfinders Women 24-14 Bristol Bears

The second half continued as it had left off: fierce and physical. Schell put boot to ball and Grace White chased along the wing. She gathered but was pushed into touch.

Bristol found some ground going through the phases and were rewarded with a scrum. Trailfinders eventually found turnover ball with White making another break down the wing. She offloaded to Francesca McGhie who was tackled into touch by Bristol’s centre Emma Orr.

Bristol were awarded another scrum and the ball was recycled out to the backs with a kick for the 50-22. But the ball went into touch too early and Trailfinders were given a line out in Bristol’s half.

Dominant phases of attack saw Trailfinders secure a five metre line out after Jones kicked to the corner. After conceding several penalties, the referee went to his pocket and sent Bristol’s Delaney Burns to the sin bin.

Trailfinders had another line out thrown by Ponsonby. They drove the maul forward and Ponsonby secured the fifth try. Jones converted

Bristol were undeterred from fighting back. They forced their way down field and Evie Gallagher came fruitful and secured Bristol’s third try. Bevan failed to convert.

The visitors continued to show their strength at the breakdown which helped them to secure turnover ball in their own half even with fourteen players on the field.

With less than twenty minutes to go and a full compliment back on the field for Bristol, both sides went down for a scrum. But fresh legs on the field for Trailfinders saw them dominate the set piece and secure the penalty. Jones kicked the ball towards the corner for a ten metre line out.

A dominant driving maul saw Trailfinders drive forward. The ball was recycled out to Jones who opted for the cross field kick. White gathered and ran in to score a stunning try. Jones successfully converted.

Trailfinders continued their try-scoring run with Emma Taylor getting off the scoreboard from short range. Jones converted.

Both sides continued to fight hard in the final ten minutes of the match with big hits made by both sides, although no more points were scored by either side.

Full-time: Trailfinders Women 45-19 Bristol Bears

Player of the Match: Grace White

Trailfinders Women –

Tries: Alana Borland 8 40, Georgia Ponsonby 11 52, Grace White 33 64, Emma Taylor 68

Conversions: Meg Jones 11 40 53 65 68

Bristol Bears –

Tries: Simi Pam 18, Sarah Bern 27, Evie Gallagher 58

Conversions: Keira Bevan 18 27

Yellow card: Simi Pam 5, Delaney Burns 51