Match report: Loughborough Lightning 15 - 19 Exeter Chiefs Women

Caroline Moore at cinch Stadium Franklin’s Gardens

Exeter Chiefs Women took four points on the road against a much-improved Loughborough Lighting to move back up to third place in the PWR. A last-minute try was the difference between the two sides in the end but Chiefs came away with the victory despite being down to 14 players for the last 15 minutes of the game.

It was a low-scoring first half at the cinch Stadium Franklin’s Garden’s with cold hands and knock-ons halting play and penalties at scrum time meaning both sides did not get into a decent rhythm.

The first knock-on was by Lightning. Chiefs were keen to eliminate the memories from the previous weekend so were delighted to be strong in the scrum and get the penalty. Ten minutes later though and Chiefs saw hooker Cliodhna Moloney leave the field with an injury so Emily Tuttosi came on earlier than planned to replace her.

It remained a scoreless first quarter with No 8 Rachel Johnson looking lively off the back of the scrum. In fact, it was her devastating run from a lineout that released flanker Dorothy Wall to burst though the line, followed in by prop DaLeaka Menin, The backs recycled the ball to send over centre Alex Tessier, who converted her own try.

Lightning did not waste time in scoring their own as a cross-field kick from Emily Scarratt released the ever-dangerous Bulou Mataitoga down the wing. The ball came back inside for centre Alex Kelter to score.

All square with 10 minutes, and a whole lot of stoppage time, to go. As the clock ticked over to 30 minutes, Chiefs got a penalty from a Lightning scrum which they ran into the 22 but gave away a penalty of their own to lose the advantage. Full-back Lori Cramer kept the ensuing kick in field and prop DaLeaka Menin streaked away with Flo Robinson taking up the mantle but there was, guess what, a knock-on.

A Lightning scrum in their own 22 saw Kelter burst through, but a knock-on gave Chiefs a scrum in a good position. Johnson came off the back and Wall went on the charge before the backs passed out to winger Katie Buchanan who was shoved into touch but managed to get the ball away. It was then knocked on by Lightning for another scrum.

Despite the mounting scrums and penalties, neither team were able to capitalise and the score remained 7-7 until half-time.

Half-time: 7-7

An early injury for Maisy Allen saw Edel 'Tricky' McMahon make her first appearance for Chiefs this season. The knock-ons and penalties continue to mount and after 10 minutes it looked like Lightning were beginning to turn the screw in front of their home crowd, especially when Scarratt stepped in at first receiver.

The England centre made an impressive break that was so close for the try but after several phases she sent the ball cross field to Kelter who passed inside for Krissy Scurfield to score to make it 12-7.

Chiefs’ fly-half Taylor Perry was then shown a red card, but despite being one woman down, the team galvanised to cover her loss. Scrum=half Flo Robinson made a line break and Wall battered a fair few Loughborough players out of her way before being awarded a penalty that was kicked to touch. The lineout was solid and the maul was determined sending replacement prop Mikiela Nelson over to score.

There was still at least 10 minutes to go with just a two-point lead to defend, which was swiftly eliminated when Chiefs gave away a penalty that Scarratt kicked with ease.

As the game entered a very tense injury time period, Lightning were 15-14 ahead and nerves were a-jangling. Chiefs were desperately trying to keep hold of the ball, helped by Lightning giving away penalties.

Chiefs had two kicks to touch but both lineouts went awry. At the third time of asking, Tessier sent a huge kick to touch for a last-ditch lineout. This one went well and 13 players joined the maul. Tuttosi got the ball down and the Chiefs faithful celebrated. Tessier missed the conversion with the last kick of the game, but four points on the road had already been secured.

Full-time: 15-19

Loughborough Lightning: F Goldthorp; B Mataitoga, E Scarrat, A Kelter, K Scurfield; H Rowland (C Morrall 53), L Brebner-Holden (M Davey 53); A Young, E Martin (K Treder 53), L Keates (C Belisle 53), C Holtkamp (A Duguid 66), H Taufoou, R Malcom (cc) (K Waudby 80+2), S Kabeya, D Hibbert-Jones (cc)

Tries: Kelter, Scurfield

Con: Rowland

Pen: Scarratt

Exeter Chiefs Women: L Cramer; C MacDonald (M Doidge 60), N McGillivray, A Tessier, K Buchanan; T Perry, F Robinson (vc); H Rogers (M Nelson 54), C Moloney (E Tuttosi 11), D Menin (C Jacoby 54), P Leith (c), Linde van der Velden (N Orchard 65), D Wall, M Allen (E McMahon 42), R Johnson

Tries: Tessier, Nelson, Tuttosi

Cons: Tessier (2)

Red card: Perry

Referee: C Gayther