Loughborough’s late penalty try saves perfect start

Loughborough Lightning and defending champions Saracens Women both had to come from behind to maintain their records as the only unbeaten sides in the league.

With just minutes to play away to Gloucester-hartpury, Loughborough looked as if their perfect start to the season would end. But a penalty try from the last play of the game gave Loughborough a 41-40 win in a fiercely contested fixture.

Gloucester-hartpury, who last season took the fourth and final play-off place ahead of Lightning, led 28-15 at half-time.

The gap narrowed to 28-27 early in the second half as Lightning scored via England prop Justine Lucas and full-back Olivia Jones, but prolific Gloucester-hartpury wing Ellie Underwood pushed her side ahead to 33-27.

With just the six points separat- ing the two sides with 10 minutes left to play, Lightning got ahead for the first time via a try from Canadian international prop Daleaka Menin, but a 78th-minute score from England scrum-half Bianca Blackburn looked to have given the game back to the hosts.

Lightning were tenacious pressing on Gloucester-hartpury’s fivemetre line and some clever play from a Loughborough scrum led to them sealing a penalty try and the victory.

Saracens remain top ahead of Loughborough by virtue of having had four bonus-point wins, but also had to come from behind to win 30-12 away to Richmond.

After a draw against Bristol and a loss to Loughborough, Harlequins returned to winning ways with a 27-6 defeat of Waterloo.

Wasps remain third in the table after their 29-10 win against Worcester Valkyries, while Bristol Bears Women are in fourth place after a comfortable 41-14 victory over Darlington Mowden Park Sharks.