Ilona Maher’s highlights-reel performance revives Bristol’s play-off hopes
Share:
Ilona Maher marked her first Premiership Women’s Rugby start with a try as Bristol boosted their hopes of reaching the play-offs with a gutsy win over regional rivals Exeter Chiefs. Dave Ward’s side have been challenged to deliver performances to match the hype that has accompanied Maher’s blockbuster arrival to the English women’s top flight and, in a yo-yoing contest, they hunkered down to business.
For Bristol, it was not always pretty – and their reluctance to kick themselves out of sticky situations does them no favours – but they had enough nous to overpower Exeter with their blood-and-thunder attack. Their victory was a double success given Maher – the most-followed rugby player on social media who is helping rugby expand its horizons – spent the afternoon creating her own highlights reel.
The American showcased her raw physicality in the wider channels but it was her sublime solo score – which saw her charging, head-down, from inside her own half – which will do healthy numbers on social media. It was a star moment fitting of Maher’s superstar status in the sport and a reminder that she is more than capable of cracking XVs, even if there are a few work-ons.
“It felt really good. At half-time I was like, ‘Have we got another 40 minutes of this?’ It was a tough match, a hard match,” Maher told Telegraph Sport. “There’s some moments where I know I could be better. As I play more, I’m going to feel more comfortable, ready to go and confident. I’ve taken some confidence in that I can bust through people. For me, can I bring my defence? Can I bring the sevens game that I really pride myself on into this game as well?”.
