Lightning lose 12-point lead as Saracens win a thrilling rollercoaster

TWO TRIES FOR DAVIES BUT HOME SIDE TOO STRONG FOR LOUGHBOROUGH

LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning looked on course for victory after surging into a 12-point lead in their Allianz Premier 15s match at Saracens.

But the home side came roaring back to win 29-24 and secure their seventh straight bonuspoint victory of the season.

In the live-streamed match, skipper Lotte Clapp flew over in the corner to give Saracens the lead after a brilliant pass from Zoe Harrison.

But Lightning took just two minutes to respond when England star Lark Davies, pictured, crossed and Emily Scarratt’s conversion edged them into a two-point lead.

With 15 minutes on the clock, Harrison darted her way through the Lightning midfield and sprinted half the length of the pitch to score a scintillating solo try and restore the hosts’ lead.

But again, it took just two minutes for the Lightning riposte as Davies crashed over for her second try of the match and her ninth of the season.

The visitors extended their lead on the half-hour mark when Scarratt’s looping pass found Rhona Lloyd, who finished expertly in the corner.

Saracens narrowed the gap just before the break when Marlie Packer broke away from a maul and powered over to take the score to 17-24 at the break.

November Player of the Month, May Campbell, scored after a string of offloads three minutes into the second half to put Sarries within touching distance.

The breakthrough moment then came in the 52nd minute when Sophie de Goede crashed over after good work from Poppy

Cleall.

Saracens closed out the remainder of the contest to win a thrilling, rollercoaster of a match in front of the cameras. Next up for the two-time champions is a top-of-thetable clash against Harlequins at The Stoop on 2 January. Harlequins ended the year on top of the table after a bonuspoint 24-12 win against Worcester Warriors at Sixways.

The win also maintained Harlequins’ 100 per cent record at the halfway stage of the season. Elsewhere, Bristol Bears won 50-3 away at DMP Durham Sharks and Wasps enjoyed a 29-17 home win over Gloucester-Hartpury.

Exeter Chiefs whitewashed Sale Sharks 38-0 in a barnstorming performance in front of their fans at Sandy Park.