THE SUN shone as the TV screens came to the county to witness American TikTok star and other rugby icons inspire thousands in a fiercely contested semi-final. 

Gloucester-Hartpury beat Bristol Bears 36-20 in the end-to-end encounter as the home side romped to victory to secure their place in the Premiership final for the third successive season. 

Hartpury - who have won the last two Premiership Women's Rugby finals - will face Saracens in the final on Sunday, March 16 at the StoneX Stadium in London. 

The around 7,000 crowd, including a raucous home section in the Shed, were there on Sunday to cheer on Gloucester-Hartpury with significant travelling Bristol Bears fans.

(Image: Newsquest) The match - played at the Kingsholm which turned into Queensholm for the momentous occasion - was described by the Hartpury head coach as 'an outstanding advert for women's rugby'. 

The away side - featuring American TikTok sensation Ilona Maher - had the early advantage, securing a 10 point lead with a couple of tries but Hartpury came back and went into the break leading 19-10. 

(Image: Andrew Matthews) Despite Ilona's second-half try - which galvanised the Bears fans - Hartpury would end up winning 36-20, including a fantastic try from newly announced Welsh captain Hannah Jones who scored the side's 5th of the afternoon. 

(Image: Andrew Matthews) The game would also be Ilona Maher's last for the Bears. 

The Sevens star Ilona Maher joined with the aim of appearing at next year’s World Cup and said that she was a 'bear for life' after the experience. 

The American back – a breakout personality from the Paris 2024 Olympics – is the world’s most followed rugby player on social media with over eight million followers.

Hartpury, who beat the Bears in last year's final and defeated Exeter Chiefs the year before, will be looking to make it three in three in the upcoming epic showdown against Saracens. 

(Image: Newsquest) Gloucester-Hartpury head coach Sean Lynn, talking to BBC Radio Gloucestershire after the game, said: "That game was an outstanding advert for women's rugby. 

"You had it all - ball in play, the physicality, the territorial, the tactical game, it was outstanding and I'm hoping that we keep people coming to watch these games."