Source: Loughborough

Lightning top table after win against Sharks

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Loughborough Lightning secure their sixth consecutive win of the 2018/19 Tyrells 15’s campaign with a dominant 59-3 win over Darlington Mowden Park Sharks (DMP).

Sharks appeared to have little bite as Lightning struck within the first few minutes of the match with Alejandro getting her name on the score sheet. Daley-Mclean cleanly slotted the conversion to go 7 points ahead. Within the first ten minutes Lightning had doubled their score with Jones adding to the total and Daley-Mclean hitting cleanly once more.

In a well worked play, Lightning pushed forward scrambling across the line to make their third try before the twenty minute mark. It was player of the match Brown who scored. Daley-Mclean made it three conversions from three to take the score to 21-0.

Lightning outplayed their rivals with some rapid feet and quick exchanges. Before long, another maximum was added to the scoreboard. This time it was O’Donnell who danced through the Sharks defensive line to extend the lead to 28.

Lightning denied Sharks from getting past the half way line. This pressure lead to multiple clinical plays leading to a further two tries before the half drew to a close. Tuttosi and Noon the scorers. Daley-Mclean converted one out of the two opportunities to take the score to 40-0.

At the half time mark Lightning were comfortably 40 points ahead of Sharks who were still yet to score. It was a dominant first half seeing six tries which ensured Lightning would achieve the elusive bonus point that will be crucial towards the latter part of the season.

The second half saw more of the same. Continuing their fine form Lightning dominated the match bullying Sharks off the ball.

Pearce slithered through the back line to get her first try of the day. Daley-Mclean returns to her perfected kicking form, 7 points added. 47-0. In a matter of moments Pearce drove across the line for her second try. Again, Daley-Mclean slotted home.

Playing confidently Lightning utilised their replacements well as Zeidler instantly made her mark as she scored with her first touch of the game.

An impressive performance by Lightning saw the scoreboard tick over to 59-0. In the final ten minutes a penalty kick was awarded to Sharks who successfully converted the kick to take the score 59-3. The score remained 59-3 as the final whistle blew.

After today’s results, Lightning are the only unbeaten team remaining as they go top of the Tyrells Premier 15’s table. Lightning will look to extend their table topping lead next week when they face Firwood Waterloo Ladies away.

Head Coach Rhys Edwards commented: “ It’s always great to get that many points on the board. I thought the first half  allowed us to really put pressure on DMP and get some really good scores. We showed great composure across a lot of aspects of the game. We had some really strong set pieces and strong defence in a lot of phases which led us to score. Our variance in the way we scored was also good.

The challenge at half time was to kick on and at times I thought we did it really well but towards the end we fizzled out which allowed DMP to score. Frustrating, but, all in all to get 59 points on the board in any game is really positive and puts us in a really strong position.”

Courtesy of Loughborough