Davies double downs Sale

Sale Sharks......7 Loughboro’ L ..29

LARK Davies’ try double condemned Sale Sharks to defeat on their Premier 15s debut at Heywood Road.

Sale looked sharp early on through the boot of Katy DalyMclean putting pressure on the Lightning defence.

But the electric pace of Olivia Jones proved telling for Loughborough. She burst through the Sharks defence after a neat pass from Helena Rowland and went over unchallenged for the first try. Rowland added the extras for a 7-0 lead after 13 minutes.

The Sharks quickly answered with a well worked attacking move of their own. Lauren Delany’s blistering run saw her charge over in the far corner, making history with the first ever try for Sale Sharks Women.

Daley-McLean was successful with the conversion to draw Sale level but Loughborough restored their lead after Helena Rowland kicked a penalty following her own line break.

Another chance presented itself to Rowland from the tee two minutes before the break, but her kick flew wide of the sticks to leave Lightning with a three-point lead.

Loughborough pressured the Sale defence in search of their second try after the restart. Sharks showed their resilience until the pressure told and England hooker Lark Davies crashed over from a maul.

Rowland missed the extras but Loughborough led 15-7 with five minutes remaining. A late flurry of tries saw Davies grab her second and Anya Richmond bundled over at the death.

Star player Helena Rowland – Loughborough L