PWR Round 9
The champions started like champions. From an attacking line-out they drove ten metres for Neve Jones to open their account. Emma Sing was today’s kicker. 0-7
The weather was still, let’s call it, inclement; yesterday’s rain and wind continued. So when G-H switched their attack from forward power to spreading wider, handling mistakes occurred. But a penalty call near the line gave Mo Hunt the chance to tap and deliver to Maud Muir. 0-12
Through these opening phases it was Lightning’s task to defend like mad. G-H looked determined to get their season buzzing again.
Around the half-hour Lightning had a decent raid, but couldn’t complete. Zoe Aldcroft countered with a break through midfield; two Emily Scarratts on the field at the same time.
Handling was growing more difficult, so promising moves kept breaking down. Mia Venner was nearly over, but Scarratt thumped her down.
Up to the break the visitors had been in charge without being able to add a stack of points.
Half-time: 0-12
Lightning remained under pressure. Helen Nelson’s attempts to clear her lines proved even harder in the driving rain. But the pack had a boost as they won a scrum penalty.
As conditions became fouler, G-H kept thundering away. In the end they sent the ball to the far left and Nel Metcalfe was over. 0-17
Another bit of quick sniping by Mo Hunt brought the vital bonus point. (0-24) She then retired from action with honour.
Lightning were finding it hard creating a fruitful launching-pad. Could the bench provide an answer?
No, it was G-H’s bench who did the job; Sisilia Tuipulotu crashed over after a patient build-up. So strong was the wind that Sing placed her tee metres closer to the line than usual, despite the angle. 0-31
Towards the close Lightning at last moved on to the attack. They sustained the pressure, with Nelson opting for a kick to the corner. A line-out proved successful and, though they didn’t score, they gained yet another penalty. At last Nikki O’Donnell showed a yellow to Sarah Beckett. The Lightning assistant coach was delighted. His name: Beckett! Such is club loyalty.
Persistence paid. On 79 minutes Lia Green managed to ground the ball over the line for the hosts’ only try. A minute later her namesake, Ellie, hoofed the ball into touch.
Result: Loughborough Lightning 7 Gloucester-Hartpury 31
Referee: Referee: Nikki O’Donnell
Teams
Loughborough Lightning
1 YOUNG 2 TREDER 3 KEATES 4 DUGUID 5 IVES CAMPION 6 KABEYA 7 WAUDBY 8 HIBBERT- JONES (co-captain) 9 DAVEY 10 NELSON (co-captain) 11 SCURFIELD 12 KELTER 13 SCARRATT 14 MATAITOGA 15 L. GREEN
16 MARTIN 17 CURPHEY 18 BELISLE 19 WINTER 20 TAUFOOU 21 BREBNER-HOLDEN 22 MORRALL 23 CLARKE
Gloucester-Hartpury
1 BUGGY 2 N. JONES 3 MUIR 4 BECKETT 5 ALDCROFT (co-captain) 6 K. WILLIAMS 7 LEWIS 8 MATTHEWS 9 HUNT (co-captain) 10 E. GREEN 11 VENNER 12 HEARD 13 HENDY 14 METCALFE 15 SING
16 BOAG 17 SAMUDA 18 TUIPULOTU 19 ELSE 20 COPSON 21 S. JONES 22 HYETT 23 SCOTT
Afterthoughts
Helena Rowland was sorely missed, though Lightning are unlikely to admit as much. Neither the scrum nor the line-out could guarantee possession; it was up to the backs to prevail.
I hope you’re completely used to seeing Lightning run out at Franklin’s Gardens. I’m not sure I am. It’s bizarre seeing the names of the two clubs posted side by side; even more with Lightning playing at home in Northampton colours, not African violet. My money back, please.
We can guess how many rugby fans will be appealing for the game to switch to a summer season. It won’t be the first time.
Table P W Pts
Exeter Chiefs 7 7 33
Saracens 8 6 31
Quins 8 6 30
Glos-Pury 8 5 28
Bristol Bears 7 5 25
Trailfinders 8 3 17
Lightning 8 2 12
Tigers 8 0 1
Sharks 8 0 0
