Loughborough Lightning saw their preseason endeavours bear fruit on the pitch in the away victory at Sale Sharks, according to head coach Nathan Smith.
The visitors to the CorpAcq Stadium scored four tries in the first half and three in the second as they ran out 45-31 winners in the curtain-raising PWR Up Series fixture.
It was an encouraging display for Smith’s side – who were without five Scotland internationals who featured against Wales on Friday evening, three Red Roses who starred against France and many more senior internationals who were also unavailable for selection.
“The girls had some great opportunities to express themselves in attack,” said Smith. “I thought the preseason brought itself to life, there was bits and pieces where we lost control that we’ve got to work on. But as a whole, as a first hit out, I was pretty happy against a very strong Sale side.”
Kendall Waudby’s two tries in the opening 20 minutes highlighted the multiple threats in Lightning’s game as she first guided over a rolling maul before latching onto a sparkling Bo Westcombe-Evans break for her second.
The winger then grabbed two tries for herself, the first came after a rolling maul did the damage and the second was a lethal display of pace from inside her own half to put her side 24-10 up at the interval.
“It was nice to see us score a variety of tries, we don’t want to be a one-trick pony,” added Smith. “We want to be able to convert from setpiece when we’re five metres out, but it is in our DNA to move the ball and we did that really well.
“Bo showed why the Red Roses think so highly of her. She spent a month away in camp and missed out on France selection but slotted right back in with us and responded by producing a top-class ”
Nathan Smith
“There were good contributions across the park. Isla Curphey was next level and Kendall took her tries really well. Daisy (Hibbert-Jones) captained the side brilliantly and led by example.”
Another young star Evelyn Clarke scored Lightning’s fifth early into the second half before two of the most experienced players in the matchday squad; USA Eagles internationals Bulou Mataitoga and Hallie Taufoou, completed the scoring with Lia Green kicking five from seven conversions.
There was also some praise for Lightning’s first 100 appearance maker, Katie Trevarthen, who retired from playing in the summer and also left the Loughborough University set up to pursue a new career opportunity.
But the loosehead prop’s legacy lives on with more young players who have progressed through the BUCS programme shining with Lightning, with the latest being young back Freya MacColl playing a crucial role as a second-half substitution showcasing her abundant attacking talent.
“It’s no surprise to see Freya come on and play like that, she’s been doing it in BUCS rugby for some time. It’s a big credit to Katie T to have people coming through the pathway like that. Matt Campbell is now leading the BUCS programme and is continuing the great work done by KT as well as operating as a Lightning Under-23s assistant coach.”
Loughborough Lightning’s next match is against Leicester Tigers in the PWR Up Series on Saturday 21 September at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens. Tickets are available from £7.50* adult and £3* children by clicking HERE.
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