Loughborough Lightning outperform Harlequins on home turf to make it three from three in their Tyrells 15’s campaign.
After a dominant display against Wasps last weekend, Lightning looked to continue their strong form against a challenging and experienced Harlequins side.
It wasn’t long before Lightning scored as a penalty try was awarded and Mclean slotted the kick home in the 13th minute. Harlequins retaliated quickly with Scott slithering through Lightning line-up scoring a try in the 16th.
In a short period of end to end play Lightning came out on top on the 25th minute as O’Donnell soared across the line regaining the lead. 8-5.
From that point onwards, Lightning forced their way through scoring a further two tries and one conversion before the half time whistle blew. The score 22-5 for the home side.
The second half saw more of the same with Lucas scoring one minute after the whistle blew. Getting her name on the score sheet for the first time in the match was player of the match Carys Williams who outplayed her opposing counterpart for the majority of the game weaving through the Harlequins line to score. Mclean secured the conversion to take the score out of the reach of Harlequins.
As the 78th minute approached, Lightning were comfortable with 41:5 on the scoreboard. Playing for pride, Harlequins Cowell darted down the wing to score. Green missed the conversion, which would’ve had little effect to the score line at this late point. Replicating the play, Cowell scored again, with this time a clean conversion by Green in the 80th minute.
As the final whistle blew Lightning had comfortably secured the win 41:17 and will continue their successful 2018/19 Tyrells 15’s campaign unbeaten.
Head Coach Rhys Edwards said: “We’re really pleased, with Harlequins being as good as they were last year it was always going to be a challenge but the momentum we got from Wasps last week has allowed us to build on it and show what we’re capable of. The score today is really positive and I am proud of how we took control.
“Carys was our player of the match today, she stepped up in defence as our defence captain and she’s really grown into it. Her performance today reflected how well she’s doing especially being rewarded with an interception try which is a great example of it.
“Looking ahead to Gloucester-Hartpury next week it is really important we keep this momentum we’ve built and kick on. It will be a tough game away from home, something that we weren’t strong at last year. But, we’ve put ourselves in a really good position.”
Full time: Loughborough Lightning 41 Harlequins 17
Loughborough Lightning
Tries: O’Donnell 25, Hunter 33, Lucas 41, Williams 64, Williams 76
Conversions: Mclean 33, Mclean 64, Mclean 76
Penalties: Mclean 13
Penalty Try: 39
Harlequins
Tries: Scott 16, Cowell 78, Cowell 80.
Conversions: Green 80.
Penalties:
Star Player: Carys Williams
Referee: Sara Cox
Attendance: 278
Loughborough Lightning: Menin, Bartlett, Lucas, O’Donnell, Penman, Harper, Noon, Harper, Davey, Daley-Mclean, Maxwell, Jones, Williams, Ramsbottom, Jones.
Replacements: Tuttosi, Lowish, Richmond, Brown, Wyrwas, Phillip, Alejandro.
Harlequins: Edwards, Catlin, Brown, Scott, Butler, Mew, Newman, Fletcher, Packer, Scott, Dainton, Burford, Mayhew, Peters, Mullen.
Replacements: Lyons, Saynor, Cornborough, Voyle, White, Green, Cowell.
Courtesy of Hannah Thompson – Loughborough University
