Rugby / Bristol Bears Women

Bristol Bears Women start season with win against Sale

By Martin Booth  Saturday Nov 18, 2023

Just 17 weeks after giving birth, Abbie Ward was on the scoresheet as Bristol Bears Women beat Sale Sharks in the opening game of the Premiership Women’s Rugby season.

The bonus-point win at Ashton Gate came courtesy of two tries from Lark Atkin-Davies and one each from Reneeqa Bonner, Lucy Burgess, Phoebe Murray, Jess Sprague, Ella Lovibond and Ward.

Holly Aitchison, signed from Saracens in the summer, kicked Bristol’s points, with Sales’ consolation try coming from Beatrice Rigoni.

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Speaking after the match, Ward said: “Running out with my daughter was never something we envisaged as players because it wasn’t really an option, it was one or the other.

“To be able to do that, for people to see that and, hopefully, for athletes to feel like they have that option is huge. I loved it, every moment.”

Main photo: JMP

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