Beckett: ‘To get the win over a Tigers is a massive result’

‘Massively special’ was how Loughborough Lightning coach Charlie Beckett reflected upon the nine-try East Midlands Derby victory over Leicester Tigers.

The African Violets made the short trip south within Leicestershire and produced their most clinical display of the 2024/25 Premiership Women’s Rugby season to claim a 61-12 victory.

Seven different players crossed the line including Helena Rowland, who also kicked eight conversions for a personal contribution of 21 points on the occasion of her 50th Lightning appearance.

“Derbies are special and this is our local derby,” said Beckett. “There’s obviously that Saints/Tigers Derby which is one of the biggest in world rugby. 

“To get the win here is a massive result. I am massively pleased for the girls, not just because of the result, but the performance. A lot of what we planned came to fruition and what we asked them to do as coaches, they did and got points from and stopped Tigers getting points. It was massively special.”

It was a poignant moment for Beckett, who arrived at Loughborough last summer having called time on his professional rugby career aged 28.

The former second row made 187 senior appearances with the first of those coming at Leicester Tigers having moved to the club’s academy as a teenager. 

“This is where my professional rugby journey started,” he said. “I moved to Leicester when I was 16, I played for Tigers for four years across the Academy and Senior teams. I very much look at my career as not a playing and coaching career, I am just very fortunate that it is a professional rugby career.

Despite the final margin of victory being nearly 50 points, Tigers were firmly in the contest at the break as Lightning’s tries from Krissy Scurfield, Rachel Malcolm, Kathryn Treder and Rowland were countered by two from the hosts who trailed by just two converted scores at the break.

But in the second period, Lightning were in ruthless form, scoring 35 unanswered points as Scurfield added a second and was followed over the line by Christine Belisle, Leia Brebner-Holden, Carmela Morrall and Daisy Hibbert-Jones.

All of Lightning’s replacements were deployed with at least a quarter of the game remaining and Beckett was content with the impact they made on proceedings.

“What was really pleasing was the impact some of our younger players had from the bench,” said Beckett. “Amelia Williams came on and was destructive in the scrum and Carmela Morrall took her try really well with an excellent defensive read.

“I was especially pleased for Leia Brebner-Holden, she is a player I’ve known for a long time coaching in the Championship prior to joining Lightning and it has been great to have here. Last weekend she deservedly got her first PWR start and today she got her first Lightning try.”