The Bears got off to a great start and scored three tries in the opening half-an-hour to take a firm grip on proceedings. Phoebe Murray, Amy Coles and Hannah West put them ahead before Sale hit back with a try by Laura Perrin.
The home side bagged their bonus point before the break when Simi Pam crossed for a score that was improved by Elinor Snowsill. That made it 22-7 at half-time.
Lillicrap’s 46th minute try came moments after Sale had notched their second, through Lauren Delaney, to make it 27-12. As the weather began to take its toll, so scoring opportunities reduced and the only other points came from a third try for the Sharks from Victoria Irwin.
The Bears remain on top thanks to a 13 point advantage over similarly unbeaten Saracens on points difference. Last season’s runners-up, Saracens were 27-0 ahead at Sixways against Worcester Warriors before the home side finally broke their duck.
Even so, the powerful visitors had the last word with a fifth try of the match from Kath Evans a minute for time. Like the Bears, they also now have four bonus-point wins to their credit.
Reigning champions Harlequins came from behind to win 21-18 at Gloucester-Hartpury with a 78th minute try from England prop Shaunagh Brown. Two early tries from Kelly Smith had given the home side hope and they led 18-7 at the break.
But the Quins kept them scoreless in the second half and a try from Sarah Bonar two minutes after the re-start, which was converted by Lagilagi Tuima, cut the gap to one score. Just when the home side thought they had done enough to hold on for a famous win, Brown muscled her way over from a ruck on the line to steal victory from the jaws of defeat.
Sian Williams and Beth Dainton could have been on opposite sides in the game at the Alpas Arena a mere three days after they had teamed up together. In the end they both sat out the league fixture.
Williams had the honour of leading the UK Armed Forces (Women) in their international clash with the French Military in Portsmouth on 30 September, teaming up in the back row with fellow Wales cap Dainton.
“I couldn’t have asked for more from the girls and what we managed to put together in two days was pretty phenomenal. We managed to come together as one team, rather than be three groups from different services,” said Williams, who plays for Gloucester-Hartpury.
In the end, the UK Armed Forces ran out winners 27-14 thanks largely to a hat-trick of tries from England and Harlequins hooker Amy Cokayne.
Allianz Premier15s – Round 4
Bristol Bears 27 – 17 Sale Sharks
DMP Durham Sharks 0 – 59 Loughborough Lightning
Exeter Chiefs 23 – 13 Wasps
Gloucester-Hartpury 18 – 21 Harlequins
Worcester Warriors 5 – 34 Saracens
