Smith thanks supporters for braving storm to cheer on Lightning

Head coach Nathan Smith thanked the hardy souls who braved Storm Darragh to support Loughborough Lightning in their home defeat to Gloucester-Hartpury.

Hundreds of school children were in attendance on Sunday at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, courtesy of an engagement project steered by the Community department of Lightning’s partner club, Northampton Saints.

Families got the chance to visit Santa Claus and make posters to be held pitchside during the game, with many staying until the end to get them signed by players after the 31-7 Premiership Women’s Rugby Round 9 loss.

“It was great to see such a good crowd on such a horrible day,” said Smith. “I know seeing all the signs meant a lot to the girls and it was great to see them spend time with supporters who had braved the elements to stay until the end.

“I just hope the kids want to come back when the weather is a bit better and hopefully we can get a result for them. Fingers crossed we can do that next time out against Harlequins.”

Hopes of a landmark victory over the defending PWR champions Gloucester-Hartpury were dampened as the visitors built on a 12-0 half-time lead to take a 31-point advantage into the closing minutes, when Lightning landed their only points of the game through a Lia Green try, converted by Helen Nelson.

Gloucester-Hartpury, who had all three of their World Rugby Women’s 15s Dream Team of the Year inclusions (Maud Muir, Zoe Aldcroft and Alex Matthews) in their starting line-up, enjoyed the lion’s share of territory and possession, but saw many of their scoring efforts repelled by a spirited and resolute defensive effort from Lightning.

“I cannot fault the players’ effort or endeavour,” added Smith. “We spent large periods of the game defending in our own half. Unfortunately the dam breaks and it did around the 60-minute mark.

“Gloucester have an embarrassment of riches, the team that they put out is going to be very difficult to stop in these conditions. We ultimately need to be able to move the ball and we can’t on a day like this.

“It is tough for us to be without Helena Rowland and Francesca Goldthorp from last weekend, and we’re coping without some mainstays of our pack like our co-captain Rachel Malcolm, and fellow internationals Cath O’Donnell and Emma Wassell who unfortunately haven’t featured for us this season for different reasons.

“It’s not an excuse but on days like today, against that kind of opposition, you need as many of your experienced campaigners out there as possible and sadly we’ve not been able to do that to the extent we would’ve wanted to this season, so far.”

The absentees have provided opportunities for many other members of Lightning’s squad, including lock Issy Winter, who arrived onto the field as a second-half replacement for just her fifth PWR appearance.

“I am really impressed with Issy Winter at the moment,” said the Lightning boss. “She has come through from nowhere really and done some really good stuff for Lightning. Her development this season has been really pleasing.”

Smith’s praise also extended to Green, who stepped in at fullback and scored the home side’s only goal try of the game. He said: “Lia is doing really well. There is incremental growth in her development from where she was last year to where she is this year, she is a young ten/15 and she did well today in tricky conditions. She has managed her side of the game very well.”

Lightning return to cinch Stadium this coming Saturday (14 December, kick-off: 3.05pm) when Harlequins are the visitors – tickets are available priced from £7.50* adult and £3* junior by clicking HERE.