Lightning and Trailfinders served up a classic according to Loughborough Head Coach Nathan Smith following their 29-29 draw at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.
In their final fixture of 2025, the African Violets built a ten-point lead then conceded 17 points before fighting back to score a fifth try in the last-minute which Helen Nelson cooly converted to level the scores.
“First and foremost, it was a great advert for Premiership Women’s Rugby, it was a great advert for everybody who has come down to cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens and watched,” said Smith. “It had everything. It had setpiece tries, tries that befit a sevens game; it was just a good game to come and watch.
“It was not one for a coach, I don’t think; there were plenty of errors and mistakes, but it made for a really good spectacle.”
Sadia Kabeya’s first-half brace was cancelled out by Georgia Ponsonby and Abi Burton tries as the sides went into the changing rooms all square at the interval. When Kathryn Treder and Lucia Scott scored second-half tries, Lightning threatened to pull away, only for Trailfinders to draw level through Kate Zackary and Rosie Inman crossing the line – and the latter’s accurate conversions plus a central penalty.
But there was to be a final twist in the tale as Lightning held their nerve and produced one final attack which Bermudez finished for her first try since her summer move from Saracens.
“When we signed Fancy we knew what she could do,” added Smith. “Bringing her on the for last 15-20 minutes, we were hoping something would happen when she touched the ball. It did but it was in the last second!”
The three points gained were one short of what was required to stay in the top four entering into 2026 and a break in action which ends with the trip to defending champions Gloucester-Hartpury on 1 February, 2026.
It’s the second time this season Lightning have come from behind to claim a score draw at home, as Smith’s side have taken match points from six of their seven PWR rounds so far.
“We are a tough group,” he added. “We have got 23 people there battling to get something out of the game, every game. But the beauty of our squad is, we’ve got another ten, 15 players below that pushing really, really hard to get into that 23 and that is where that toughness has come from.”