Saracens and Exeter maintained their perfect starts to the Premiership Women’s Rugby season on Saturday, with the Chiefs sending defending champions Gloucester-Hartpury to their first defeat of the campaign.

Mikiela Nelson scored two of Exeter’s three tries in an impressive 21-15 victory at Kingsholm.

The home side led 15-14 at the break, with Carys Williams-Morris giving Gloucester-Hartpury an early lead and Amy Dale responding to Exeter’s scores from Nelson and Clara Nielson, but Canada international prop Nelson’s second-half try for the visitors proved decisive.

At Ashton Gate, Sydney Gregson and May Campbell both crossed twice for Saracens in a 41-24 win over Bristol Bears.

Bristol winger Millie David’s second try of the match reduced the hosts’ deficit to seven points midway through the second half.

However, Leanne Infante’s brilliant reverse pass set up Saracens winger Gregson for her second score, before Bryony Field went over from a rolling maul to put the result beyond doubt.

Sarries have taken a maximum 15 points from their opening three games and are top of the table, while Bristol – only playing for the second time this season – claimed a try bonus point but slipped to their first defeat.