Joined by Lleucu George, Beth Lewis, Sisi Tuipulotu and Kate Williams, Jones helped the reigning champions to hit back from a 17-7 interval deficit to beat Bristol Bears 36-24 at Sandy Park.
Wales wing Courtney Keight had given the Bears the perfect start with an overlap try in the left corner as they stung their west country rivals in a blistering opening half. The underdogs scoffed three tries to one in the first half as they laid down the gauntlet to the champions.
Gloiucester-Hartpury’s Welsh head coach, Sean Lynn, had once again led his side to the top of the table in the regular season with 14 wins out of 15 games. They then scored 50 points in the semi-final to arrive in Exeter as the team to beat.
The Bears may have put them under pressure, and denied Lewis a try just before the break after she got over the line, but they scored four tries and 26 points without reply in a scintillating spell during the second half to carry off the title once again.
HIGHLIGHTS
Lleucu George creates a try
Courtney Keight scores in the corner
If it was ecstasy for Gloucester-Hartpury’s ‘Welsh Famous Five’, it was agony for Keight and her Welsh teammates in the Bears ranks – Keira Bevan, Alisha Joyce-Butchers and Jenny Hesketh.
The nine Welsh players involved in the final will now all come together under the Wales banner this week to try to clinch a place in WXV2 when they face Spain in a play-off game.
Wales Squad v Spain
Backs: Jenny Hesketh (Bristol Bears), Courtney Keight (Bristol Bears), Nel Metcalfe (Gloucester-Hartpury), Lisa Neumann (Harlequins), Carys Williams-Morris (Loughborough Lightning), Hannah Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury, captain), Kerin Lake (Gloucester-Hartpury), Catherine Richards (Gloucester-Hartpury), Meg Webb (Brython Thunder), Carys Cox (Ealing Trailfinders), Hannah Bluck (Brython Thunder), Lleucu George (Gloucester-Hartpury), Niamh Terry (Brython Thunder), Robyn Wilkins (Exeter Chiefs), Keira Bevan (Bristol Bears), Sian Jones (Gwalia Lightning)
Forwards: Abbey Constable (Gloucester-Hartpury), Gwenllian Pyrs (Bristol Bears), Molly Reardon (Cardiff Met), Carys Phillips (Harlequins), Rosie Carr (Brython Thunder), Sisilia Tuipulotu (Gloucester-Hartpury), Donna Rose (Saracens), Jenni Scoble (Gwalia Lightning), Abbie Fleming (Harlequins), Natalia John (Brython Thunder), Kate Williams (Gloucester-Hartpury), Bryonie King (Gwalia Lightning), Alisha Joyce-Butchers (Bristol Bears), Alex Callender (Brython Thunder), Georgia Evans (Saracens), Bethan Lewis (Gloucester-Hartpury), Gwennan Hopkins (Gloucester-Hartpury)
