Lightning back to their best in Sharks success
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning got back to winning ways with an assured win over DMP Sharks at the Northern Echo Arena.
The visitors, who suffered a first defeat of the season to Bristol Bears last weekend, came out firing with two tries in the first five minutes.
The first came from a well executed catch and drive as Emily Tuttosi crashed over.
They doubled their lead soon after, when a pinpoint cross field kick from Katy Daley-Mclean set up a well worked score.
The England fly-half missed both conversions, making the score 10-0 after as many minutes.
The Sharks responded well however, taking a tapand-go penalty and crossing to narrow the lead after 16 minutes, Lisa Thomson converting to make the score 7-10.
Loughborough responded with their third try and a second for Tuttosi from another catch and drive five metres out.
The bonus point try came before the half-hour, full-back Olivia Jones finishing off a flowing move and the fifth came on the eve of half time when Sarah Hunter dotted down after a powerful scrum.
Loughborough started the second half in similar fashion to the first, putting the game to bed shortly after the break.
Natasha Jones scored a fine individual try on 49 minutes, before Lightning crossed for their seventh try on the hour.
Loughborough defended well to maintain the advantage until Lisa Thomson doubled the Sharks total with a great individual try, although two late tries made the scoreline emphatic in the visitors’ favour.