The aptly rebranded ‘Queensholm’, the home of Gloucester rugby, hosted a crowd of 9,668 for a final that saw the title end up in the hands of a non-London based club for the first time in its history.
While lats year’s Wales World Cup captain didn’t make the matchday 23 for the final, she had played a significant role in steering Gloucester-Hartpury to the league title and picked up a medal after getting her hands on the trophy in the post-match celebrations.
Then the 35-year-old Lillicrap announced she was calling time on her illustrious career, identifying it as “the right time to step away” to hang up her boots. She ended her international career after leading Wales to the quarter-final at the 2022 World Cup.
“To finish off with Gloucester-Hartpury winning the Prem is like the dream ending. I’ve had amazing times throughout my rugby career,” said Lillicrap.
“To have 9,000 people watching a club rugby game shows the growth in the sport. These aren’t just the family and friends of players – this is way beyond that.
“The world is noticing how good women’s rugby is and it’s so special to be able to finish like this. Hopefully, in Wales we can get to this point as well and get more people at club games and grow that because this is really, really special.”
Wales outside half George was named as the player of the match for her controlling influence in the home side’s No 10 jersey, while hooker Jones and replacement wing Neumann both scored tries.
🎪 @Glos_PuryWRFC are up and running in the Allianz #Premier15s Final… pic.twitter.com/gaKYJMRGd9
— Allianz Premier 15s (@Premier15s) June 24, 2023
Try Time @LisaNeumann93 and @Glos_PuryWRFC are minutes away from lifting the 2022/23 Allianz #Premier15s trophy ⏱ pic.twitter.com/NF3hzJ3yvi
— Allianz Premier 15s (@Premier15s) June 24, 2023
Bethan Lewis started in the back row for Gloucester-Hartpury and Sisi Tuipulotu came off the bench to also get her hands on a winners’ medal.
On the Exeter side, Welsh caps Abbie Fleming and Robyn Wilkins both came off the bench, but were unable to stop the game slipping away from their team.
