Brony’s hat-trick can’t stop Saracens march

BRYONY FIELD’S hattrick wasn’t enough to save Loughborough from defeat as Saracens wrapped up top spot in the league with one round to go.

Despite the heroics of Field in the Lightning front row, Sophie de

Goede proved to be equally up to the task in scoring two tries and being a constant thorn in the side of the hosts.

Loughborough started aggressively and won an early penalty which they kicked to the corner before scoring from the resulting lineout drive through Field.

Lightning sought a second try in maintaining their early pressure but Saracens soaked up the danger and marched upfield to win a lineout. Though Saracens were initially held at back, veteran prop Rocky Clark spotted a gap to cross for the visitors’ first.

De Goede split the posts with the conversion and Saracens were ahead minutes later after a superb flat pass from the returning Sydney Gregson found Georgie Lingham, who stepped a defender and crossed the whitewash.

Alex Austerberry’s side then gave themselves some breathing room through Emma Taylor, whose pick and go showed no signs of being stopped.

After the restart, Lightning sold themselves short with an intercept try to De Goede.

Two tries for Field followed to complete her hat-trick, but De Goede and Rachel Laqeretabua rounded off proceedings.