Loughborough Lightning’s second-highest all-time tryscorer Bo Westcombe-Evans has extended her contract.
The prolific winger has scored 31 tries in 45 appearances for the African Violets, after becoming Lightning player #098 when making her debut against Sale Sharks as a teenager in October 2021.
A prolific 2023/24 campaign saw Westcombe-Evans cross the line 14 times in 20 outings, that forced her way into the Red Roses squad for WXV 1 last Autumn.
She made a tryscoring debut against USA and remained in the run-out side as the Red Roses retained the title with a 21-12 victory over Canada.
Less than a week later, the St Albans’ born star returned to club action with a bang scoring two tries against Sale Sharks, and got on the scoresheet once more in their next game away at Harlequins.
However, shortly after striking at The Stoop, Westcombe-Evans suffered an ACL rupture that ruled her out of the remainder of Lightning’s season.
She underwent successful reconstructive surgery and is hoping to pick up where she left off on the pitch prior to her injury.
“There were a lot of factors that went into me re-signing for Lightning,” she said. “My injury being a major one. I want my first game back post injury to be in a Lightning shirt. That will be a pretty special moment. I got injured against Quins, and I wouldn't have wanted that to be my last game for Lightning.
“Me and Nathan have a really good relationship. I really like him as a head coach. He always does the best for me and I think that support wise, he is really great. I’d like to carry that on into next season.”
Bo Westcombe-Evans
“It is a great group of girls here and I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else at this stage of my career.
“The rugby we played towards the end of the season was some of the best rugby that Lightning has ever played. That has really showed in some of the scores and results we got in the run-in. It has been hard sitting on the sidelines when we beat sides like Saracens and Bristol and you cannot contribute, that is why I am staying. We have the potential to do that now. We have the potential to be even better next season and I 100% want to be a part of that.”
Head coach Smith was delighted to retain the services of Westcombe-Evans.
He said: “Prior to her injury, Bo was absolutely flying. She scored three tries in two games for Lightning, that forced her way into the England reckoning and she scored for them too. She was on the cusp of having an exceptional season.
“I am delighted that Bo is here again next year. I can only see this set back making her stronger, she is an extremely determined young woman.”
Nathan Smith
“She wants to kick on and get back in the Lightning team, perform as well as she can in the PWR and muscle her way back in the Red Roses squad.”
Westcombe-Evans’ re-signing follows previous announcements that Sadia Kabeya and fellow winger Krissy Scurfield are locked in at Lightning for next season.
“It’s an exciting prospect to for us to have Bo and Krissy in our back three next season,” added Smith. “Along with the other options at our disposal, we are going to possess some lethal wing combinations that will hopefully excite crowds and cause trouble for opposition defences.”
