Loughborough Lightning’s year-long unbeaten run at home came to an end as Bristol Bears came from behind to claim victory at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.
The hosts had built a nine-point half-time lead through Sadia Kabeya and Rachel Ehrecke tries, sandwiching a Millie David effort from the visitors.
When captain Daisy Hibbert-Jones stretched that advantage with Lightning’s third converted score early into the second period, a strong home crowd sensed another win at cinch Stadium. But Bristol fought back with 19 unanswered points to take the win and leave Nathan Smith’s side with the consolation of a losing bonus point.
FIRST HALF
All of the early territory and possession belonged to Lightning as they knocked on the door, only for a couple of handling errors putting paid to any scoreboard reward.
In contrast, Bears showed the ruthless edge they’ve showcased in the new year, as they swarmed into the 22 and with the defence desperately stretched, it was Ruahei Demant who put width on the ball for David to cross close to the left corner flag.
Soon afterwards, Lightning successfully defended their own line before launching their first successful attack of the game. With penalty advantage, they kept the ball tight, punching holes under the posts before Ehrecke applied the final touch. Helen Nelson converted to put her side ahead.
Spurred on by landing their first try with a power show up front, Lightning stuck with that game plan as strong carries and accurate handling earned entry into the 22. Mae Sagapolu, who scored twice in the corresponding fixture at Shaftesbury Park last year, twice tapped penalties to soften up the Bristol defence, which was a player light when Evie Gallagher saw yellow.
Ultimately, there was no way of stopping a tide of African Violet as Kabeya marked her birthday with a forceful close-range finish.
The lead stretched to nine points come the half-time whistle courtesy of Nelson’s second successful conversion of the afternoon.
SECOND HALF
The profligacy of the opening period of the first half wasn’t to be repeated in the second period as Lightning scored arguably their best try of the season so far.
Multiple players got hands on the ball, as Sagapolu charged infield and Kabeya somehow managed to pull in a pass aimed at her ankles to offload to Fancy Bermudez who raged upfield. With Bristol back pedalling, Carmela Morrall grubbered in behind and Hibbert-Jones won the foot race with Jasmine Joyce before leaping forward to ground.
Nelson converted and the momentum seemed to be with the hosts, only for Bristol to knit together a multi-phase attack and build pressure in the 22 before Gallagher atoned for her earlier ten-minute rest with her side’s second try.
Now it was Lightning ducking punches on the ropes as two subsequent attacks were diffused, most notably when Pamphinette Buisa intercepted and strode 50 metres up field until Alev Kelter managed to thwart her ten metres from the line.
Becky Boyd arrived onto the field and immediately had an impact as she poached a lineout on her own 22.
A nerve-jangling final quarter was assured though when Demant put width on the ball and David showcased her blistering speed to sprint over to close the gap to four.
Another Scottish forward made an immediate impact as Christine Belisle arrived onto the field and immediately earned a scrum penalty to relieve some pressure.
It was a moment of class that settled the game as Demant teased the defence and freed Emma Orr on an unstoppable clean break to the line.
Lightning had a penalty under the posts which, if kicked, would’ve secured a draw. Instead, they rolled the dice by tapping from five metres out and unfortunately could not land a late try to repeat the heroics of their last encounter at cinch Stadium when Bermudez struck in stoppage time to tie the contest with Trailfinders.
Lightning are next at home on Friday 13 March when Harlequins are the visitors to cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens – tickets are available for the match by clicking HERE.
LINE-UPS
LIGHTNING: 15 Bulou Mataitoga, 14 Fancy Bermudez, 13 Alev Kelter, 12 Carmela Morrall, 11 Bo Westcombe-Evans, 10 Helen Nelson, 9 Alicia Maude, 1 Anne Young, 2 Kathryn Treder, 3 Mae Sagapolu, 4 Lilli Ives-Campion, 5 Rachel Ehrecke, 6 Daisy Hibbert-Jones (C), 7 Sadia Kabeya, 8 Haineala Lutui.
Replacements: 16 Paige Stathopoulos, 17 Isla Curphey, 18 Christine Belisle, 19 Becky Boyd, 20 Tahlia Broady, 21 Kendal Waudby, 22 Aoibhe Kelly, 23 Lucia Scott.
BRISTOL BEARS: 15 Ella Lovibond, 14 Jaz Joyce, 13 Emma Orr, 12 Meryl Smith, 11 Millie David, 10 Ruahei Demant (cc), 9 Keira Bevan; 1 Maisie Davies, 2 Lana Skeldon, 3 Sarah Bern (cc), 4 Hollie Cunningham, 5 Delaney Burns, 6 Christiana Balogun, 7 Pamphinette Buisa, 8 Evie Gallagher.
Replacements: 16 Amy Dale, 17 Aisha Jah, 18 Elliann Clarke, 19 Nicola Beet, 20 Jenny Herring, 21 Jenny Hesketh, 22 Jenna De Vera, 23 Chloe Daniels.
Main photograph by Maeve Blencowe / @doublbebobblephototgraphy