Ilona Maher Shines in First Bristol Start with a Stunning Try
Social media sensation Ilona Maher impresses with a try in her first start for Bristol, leading to a thrilling victory over Exeter
Ilona Maher, Bristol, Exeter, Rugby, USA, World Cup
Exeter: Ilona Maher made quite the entrance in her first start for Bristol. She scored a try that helped her team secure a 41-31 win against Exeter at Sandy Park.
With over eight million followers, Maher is a social media star. In the 55th minute, she showcased her speed and strength, running over half the pitch and shaking off two defenders to score.
But it wasn’t just about scoring. Maher also played a key role in setting up another try. She drew in three defenders before passing to Meg Varley, who scored the bonus-point try. This win keeps Bristol in the running for the Premiership Women’s Rugby play-offs.
Maher shared her thoughts after the game, saying it felt a bit like sevens rugby. She credited her teammates for their support, making it easier for her to break through the defense.
She added, “I don’t go around people; I always go through them. It’s just how I play.” Maher also expressed pride in her assist, noting she tried a little step she hadn’t done before.
Last summer, she won a bronze medal at the Olympics in Paris. Now, she’s aiming for a spot on the USA squad for the upcoming World Cup in England.
Just a week earlier, Maher had her first 15s appearance since 2021, coming off the bench in a loss to Gloucester-Hartpury.