Exeter Chiefs Women v Loughborough Lightning

It was atrocious weather conditions at times at Sandy Park, but Exeter Chiefs Women managed to score four tries at home against Loughborough Lightning to propel them into third place in the PWR.

Running rugby was going to be extremely difficult in the muddy and wet conditions. We needed some solid, slow and steady carries, although lock Abby Dugiud looked speedy in space helping Chiefs into Lightning’s 22 for the ball to be recycled along the backline. With the wingers initially struggling to find a foothold, the forwards took it back infield but sent it back out to Francesca Granzotto for the first try of the afternoon and her second in two weeks.

A scything run down the middle from Lightning’s flanker Becky Boyd was brought up short by full-back Sabrina Poulin but the visitors had worked their way into Chiefs’ 22. Chiefs were then penalised for hands in the ruck and fly-half Helen Nelson opted to kick to touch on the five-metre line. A classic lineout, catch and drive resulted in a try for hooker Kathryn Treder.

Chiefs took possession from the kick-off with Granzotto streaking down the wing to wait for the forwards to arrive in the form of flanker Maisy Allen then prop Hope Rogers with Amy Rule then scoring from close range. Scrum-half Alicia Maude was shown a yellow card as Gabby Cantorna kicked the conversion.

Chiefs’ next scrum gave them the platform they needed to initiate their next assault. Centre Alex Tessier passed to Poulin before the home side patiently went from ruck to ruck before Rogers propelled herself across the line. The queen of the low angle, spinning score was back!

As the rain began to fall in earnest, the floodlights were switched on to illuminate Lightnings’ progress into Chiefs’ half. This time, the visitors were the ones who were patient, but Chiefs were also determined with captain and Allen winning the jackal and taking back possession before the half-time whistle was blown.

The wet conditions did not let up for the second half with a knock-on marring Chiefs’ start. Lightning’s scrum resulted in a knock-on for the African Violets, so Chiefs took over possession. But a knock-on as the ball went through the hands, produced the third scrum in as many minutes with Chiefs winning this one back as the scrum turned. Centre Alex Tessier kicked the penalty to touch as the rain started to abate.

A lineout and drive bought a few metres for the home side with another drive taking Chiefs into the 22. But, frustratingly, Lightning stole the ball and ran back up field. With tackles in the mud aplenty, the kitmen must have been wincing!

As supporters began to shield their eyes from the glaring sun after the rain, the kicking game became more of an option, with touch the go-to target. A Lightning lineout saw them enter Chiefs half, but it was slow going and when they kicked the ball away, full-back Sabrina Poulin ran it back only for the visitors to regain possession. It was a scrapy affair to say the least with most of the action taking place in the centre third of the field.

Fresh legs and frayed tempers lit up the field as Chiefs were awarded a penalty which Tessier kicked to touch. Dorothy Wall secured the ball and the drive took them into Lightnings’ 22 but another knock-on thwarted their progress. A kick was collected by Poulin who passed inside to Tessier. Hands in the ruck saw Lightning penalised again and another kick to touch gave Chiefs a lineout opportunity 10 metres out but Lightning stole the ball to deny the home side’s intended drive.

A lineout in the sun gave Chiefs a chance to break the deadlock but holding onto the ball in the ruck gave Lightning possession once again. Sinclair was a bright spark in running the ball back into Lightning’s half with Nancy McGillivray heading into Lightning’s 22. The ball went through the hands for Zoë Dare to make some yards down the opposite wing before a high tackle gave Chiefs another penalty which again went to touch. Surely, this time?

The lineout and drive were solid with Dare collecting the catch and setting up the driving maul. Wall was successful in stretching over to take the fourth try with Liv McGoverne kicking the conversion to make it 26-5.