Trailfinders Women secure a huge win at home, grabbing a bonus-point win ahead of the break in the PWR.
A colossal linebreak from Tanya Kalounivale on the 22 got the tighthead just inches from the Loughborough Lightning line, and from close range, much like last week’s game against Harlequins Women, Abi Burton powered over from close range.
Two minutes later, Lightning’s Alev Kelter broke through for a try, and Helena Rowland knocked the conversion over to give the visitors an early lead.
A slick crossfield kick from Meg Jones to Grace White earned Trailfinders valuable field position and the opportunity for a try, but we were held up over the line.
Beside the first two tries the opening fifteen minutes was a very stop-start affair, with multiple injury stoppages interrupting the flow of the match. But the match quickly came back to life as swift hands from the Trailfinders backs put Grace White over in the left corner.
Another Jones crossfield kick on the left flank put the Loughborough cover defence under pressure in their 22, and a forward pass gifted Trailfinders a five metre scrum. From the base of the scrum with penalty advantage, Burton powered over for her second try of the game.
Lightning added a second try through Mae Sagapolu to narrow the scoreline towards the end of the first half, but Rowland couldn’t make the conversion to add the extra two points.
A phenomenal defensive effort perfectly encapsulated by a try-saving tackle from Burton repelled repeated attacks from the visitors, but eventually Lightning struck through Bo Westcombe-Evans on the stroke of half-time to give them the lead, with Rowland slotting the conversion.
Half-time: Trailfinders Women 19-15 Loughborough Lightning
A sublime Jones linebreak and offload gained Trailfinders valuable field position one minute into the second half, and a few phases later Jones scored the bonus-point try, chasing a chip through and grounding the ball to reclaim the lead. From out wide on a tough angle Gallagher was unable to make the conversion.
Out of nowhere Georgia Ponsonby broke the line from the base of the ruck, before drawing the fullback and giving the ball to Ella Amory, who utilised some slick footwork before grabbing our fifth try, and N. Gallagher nailed the conversion from just right of the posts.
Loughborough attempted to mount an attack and nullify Trailfinders’ momentum, but Haidee Head got a turnover and took the wind out of their sails, gifting Trailfinders possession. Minutes later after sustained pressure in the Lightning redzone, Burton completed her hat-trick, yet again with a close range effort. With just under an hour played, Trailfinders led 32-19.
Trailfinders’ next try was scored by replacement second-row Emma Taylor, who converted her own try from just left of the posts.
Sadia Kabeya scored Lightning’s first points of the second half in the 73rd minute with a try under the posts, and Rowland scored the conversion.
Full-time: Trailfinders Women 39-26 Loughborough Lightning
Trailfinders Women:
Tries – Abi Burton 5 25 53, Grace White 17, Meg Jones 42, Ella Amory 47, Emma Taylor 67
Conversions – Niamh Gallagher 47 Emma Taylor 68
Loughborough Lightning:
Tries – Alev Kelter 7, Mae Sagapolu 33, Bo Westcombe-Evans 40, Sadia Kabeya 73
Conversions – Helena Rowland 8 40 74