At Ashton Gate, Ilona Maher made her first home start for Bristol, but it was Holly Phillips who grabbed the limelight with four of the Bears’ seven tries in a 43-29 victory against Leicester Tigers.
While front-rower Phillips’ quartet of scores owed plenty to the power of Bristol’s forward pack, the hosts also demonstrated some flowing, expansive rugby to create tries for Simi Pam, Millie David and Gabriella Nigrelli.
The win moved Bristol up to fourth place, although Exeter Chiefs could move back above the Bears if they beat Loughborough Lightning on Sunday.
Tahlia Brody scored two of Leicester’s five tries, which earned them a bonus point, but they remain second-bottom in the table.
