Seven-try Lightning lead the chasing pack
Loughboro L....57 DMP Sharks ......3
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning eased past DMP Sharks as they continue to lead the pack chasing unbeaten Saracens and Harlequins.
A nine-try display helped Lightning to their fifth win of the season to stay within touching distance of the Premier 15s runaway sides.
Captain Rachel Malcolm was the first to score after three minutes when Lightning moved the ball quickly from right to left following a lineout and into the hands of winger Ellen Ramsbottom, who passed infield for Malcolm to cross over.
The set piece again left DMP struggling to defend the wide channels.
Lightning worked the ball from the left into the hands of Emily Scarratt and Olivia Jones for the second try inside ten minutes.
A penalty try was awarded moments later when DMP buckled under the pressure of the Lightning
scrum on their own line and Lark Davies soon crossed from a rolling maul to lock up the bonus point before the break.
Three tries within ten minutes of the restart saw Lightning ramp up the intensity.
Scrum-half Ella Wyrwas scooted down the blindside for the try, while Rhona Lloyd and Bryony Field added efforts of their own.
Lightning brought up the half-century of points on 50 minutes through replacement winger Rachael Woosey, as the speed of the play from the hosts grew ever more impressive.
Sharks were able to get points on the board when Loughborough were caught offside, allowing full-back Beth Blacklock to slot the penalty.
But Lightning had the final say in the match with Anya Richmond’s pickand-go score to round off a resounding victory.