Lightning head coach Nathan Smith praised his side for overcoming difficult circumstances – chiefly a determined Leicester Tigers effort – as they battled to maximum points in the East Midlands Derby.
The visitors to Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Sunday afternoon scored four tries in each half of their concluding game of the 2025/26 Premiership Women’s Rugby season. But Leicester, without a win all season, took an early lead and twice pulled the second‑half deficit to within a converted score.
However, the African Violets kept their composure in the final quarter to see out the game and secure the five‑point haul with a 36-50 victory, as Haineala Lutui (2), Daisy Hibbert‑Jones (2), Paige Stathopoulos, Meg Davey and Sadia Kabeya scored the tries, and Helena Rowland added five conversions.
“It was always going to be a tough game. We know Leicester Tigers are dying for that win and are improving week on week,” said Smith. “We knew it was going to be a tough battle. We knew it would be a bit basketball‑like because it was the last game of the season.
“What I said to the players was that we found a way to win under difficult circumstances. Coming back after the international break and only playing two league games makes it very difficult for those involved. We’ve had two teams in the league who have come back and only played one game.
Smith selected five players who featured in the BUCS Super Rugby Milk Championship Final, including Keevy Fitzpatrick, who earned her first PWR start in the second row in place of injured Red Roses lock Lilli Ives Campion.
“I thought Keevy managed the lineout very well,” added Smith. “Our set‑piece really gave us a foothold in the game — both the scrum and lineout — and Keevy was a massive part of that on her first PWR start.”
The bonus‑point win, coupled with Sale’s final‑round loss to Exeter, saw Lightning rise into the top six in the final PWR table after 16 rounds.
Smith said: “You want to finish as high up the table as possible. We’re not going to sit down and celebrate finishing sixth by any stretch of the imagination. But that is three top‑six finishes in the last three years with a group of players that is growing.
“Success is finishing in the top four. We’ve not quite got there, but there are also really big positives from the programme to highlight: the number of internationals we have developed, and the BUCS programme winning the championship too.”