Lightning second row Kaya Acton was full of pride to make her first Premiership Women’s Rugby start last weekend in the 36-29 defeat to Trailfinders after progressing through the Loughborough BUCS Super Rugby pathway.
Acton arrived at Loughborough in 2024 and commenced training with both the university side and Lightning. In the first half of the first game she played for Loughborough University, she tore her ACL and was out of action for a year and a day.
After five games playing BUCS Super Rugby and fully reintegrated back in the Lightning squad, the second row came off the bench to face Gloucester-Hartpury in February for her debut, and last weekend made her first PWR start at the same ground she played in BUCS Super Rugby earlier in the season.
“At the start of the season, I played on this pitch at Trailfinders for the BUCS side,” Acton explained. “Now to come and make my first PWR start on the same pitch is an amazing experience.
“Unfortunately, we had a couple of injuries in the week, so it’s nice to see, like the likes of Tamsin and myself, getting opportunities.
“The one thing that Nathan said to me at the start was, you’re on a pitch with international rugby players, I just need you to play your game. Every single one of them helped me play my game and seriously boosted my skills.”
Heading into the half-time break, Lightning were up on the scoreboard following tries from USA Eagles Alev Kelter and Mae Sagapolu, as well as Red Rose Bo Westcombe-Evans. However, Trailfinders shot out of the blocks in the second period, running in four unanswered tries and taking the game out of Lightning’s reach.
However, a 72nd-minute solo-stunner effort from recently re-signed World Cup winner Sadia Kabeya gave Lightning something to cling onto from the game as they walked away from the match with an important bonus point.
“I played more minutes than I thought I was going to get,” Acton continued. “It might not have been the result that we were hoping for, but I think I’m proud of every single one of the girls, and I don't think the score shows how we performed.
“I think we were unlucky not to get the full five. Obviously, that’s what we were going after. But I think the fight we showed to stay in, and even just to get that one point, showed grit and determination right towards the end.
“In this break, it’s just getting about better; those little 1% things, it’ll be nice to come into the last two fixtures of the season with a bit of time off and see what we can do.”