Emily Scarratt stressed that Loughborough Lightning must ‘keep believing’ that better rewards will follow and reward their performances in the second half of the 2024/25 Premiership Women’s Rugby season.
Lightning reach the half-way point of the campaign on Sunday at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens when Gloucester-Hartpury are the visitors (kick-off: 3pm) – tickets are available priced from £7.50* and £3* child by clicking HERE.
The African Violets have picked up two victories in front of their home supporters from three games so far this term. Their search for an away win continues having produced strong displays against Exeter Chiefs, Harlequins and most recently Saracens – scoring three tries in each fixture, falling frustratingly short of taking points home with them.
“After the Gloucester-Hartpury game, we will be halfway through the season,” said Scarratt. “We obviously would’ve wanted to have picked up more points than what we have done. In the same vein, we’re going in the right direction and we’ve got to keep believing in that.
“We aren’t like lots of other teams in the league, our make-up is a little bit different and therefore we’ve got to try and play to the strengths of that. You’re not always going to get it right. Everyone always strives for that 80-minute performance. We haven’t got that yet, but I think we’re heading in the right direction.”
All three of Lightning’s tries in their 32-21 loss to Saracens last weekend came from the backs division as Krissy Scurfield grabbed her third in as many games, Alev Kelter backed up her debut try the previous round with a five-pointer against her former club and Francesca Goldthorp also finished off a brilliant Helen Nelson break.
Scarratt, capped 116 times by the Red Roses, is the most senior player outside of the pack and is enjoying her role within the group.
“It makes me feel a lot older than I used to feel in that backline,” said the 34-year-old. “Although having Alev alongside me helps! It is a lot of fun. It is testament to how we want to play the game. We want to get people like Krissy, Alev and Fran doing the things that they are really good at and our gameplan hopefully allows for that. Krissy is three tries from three games, we just need to get more and more of those moments if we can. There’s a lot of potential there.”
Another fine finish to add to the @EmilyScarratt collection 👌#PWR @LightningRugby pic.twitter.com/D1n3RRzfI8
— Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) November 26, 2024
Kelter is one of four Americans in the Lightning squad, with Bulou Mataitoga, Hallie Taufoou and Kathryn Treder all playing key roles and have clocked up nearly 90 appearances between them.
The USA Eagles contingent in PWR grew by one more this week as Ilona Maher, who has the world’s largest social media following for a rugby player with 4.6 million on Instagram alone, joined Bristol Bears.
The 28-year-old Olympic Sevens bronze medallist’s arrival was welcomed by Scarratt.
“Social media just blew up,” added Scarratt. “We are constantly trying to raise the profile of the players, the league, the sport, all of those things. Ilona is going to do one hell of a job doing all of those things.
“It is also testament to the league, the players and the clubs that she wants to come here. There are other leagues around the world that she could've gone to if she wanted to play a bit of 15s. Hopefully we’re really cementing ourselves as the best domestic league in the league, therefore she wants to come here.”
* All ticket prices are subject to a £1.50 booking fee.