PWR: Bristol 19-31 Loughborough - Lightning thunder to victory in Bear Country

Bristol Bears started strongly with a well-worked team try, finished off by Reneeqa Bonner, who crossed the line to open the scoring for the home side.

Loughborough Lightning’s Mae Sagapolu brought the scores level by powering over from a tap-and-go penalty. A successful conversion from Helen Nelson then edged Lightning ahead for the first time.

The home side regained the lead through a fine try from Emma Orr, created by an excellent passage of play involving Hannah Botterman, Reneeqa Bonner and Jenny Herring.

Lightning attempted to respond quickly, but a turnover from Evie Gallagher flipped possession. A well-timed pass from Ruahei Demant then sent Ella Lovibond racing down the pitch and over the try line.

A strong break from Lucy Calladine put Lightning back on the attack, and Sagapolu crossed for her second try of the match to close the gap to five points.

Loughborough Lightning emerged for the second half all guns blazing and, after sustained pressure, reclaimed the lead with a converted try from Lis Maude.

Lightning continued to launch wave after wave of attack, and eventually Alev Kelter crossed the line to secure the bonus-point try with just over 20 minutes remaining.

With ten minutes left, Bristol Bears struggled to escape their own half as frustration crept in and ill-discipline began to show, while Loughborough Lightning maintained their intensity and continued to apply relentless pressure.

Tries: Bonner(6') Orr(25') Lovibond(29')

Conversions: Demant (26' 29')

Starting XV: 1 Hannah Botterman, 2 Amy Dale, 3 Elliann Clarke, 4 Hollie Cunningham, 5 Abbie Ward (c), 6 Christiana Balogun, 7 Jenny Herring, 8 Evie Gallagher, 9 Tilly Ryall, 10 Ruahei Demant, 11 Millie David, 12 Savannah Picton-Powell, 13 Emma Orr, 14 Reneeqa Bonner, 15 Ella Lovibond

Replacements: 16 Jess Sprague, 17 Simi Pam, 18 Aisha Jah, 19 Natalia John, 20 Gwennan Hopkins, 21 Seren Singleton, 22 Lucie Skuse, 23 Jasmine Joyce

Tries: Sagapolu (17' 34') Maude (46') Kelter (57')

Conversions: Nelson (18' 35' 46' 58')

Penalties: Nelson (72')

Starting XV: 1 Anne Young, 2 Lucy Calladine, 3 Mae Sagapolu, 4 Lilli Ives Campion, 5 Rachel Ehrecke, 6 Daisy Hibbert-Jones (c), 7 Sadia Kabeya, 8 Haineala Lutui, 9 Lis Maude, 10 Helen Nelson, 11 Bo Westcombe-Evans, 12 Carmela Morrall, 13 Alev Kelter, 14 Bulou Mataitoga, 15 Lucia Scott

Replacements: 16 Kathryn Treder, 17 Isla Curphey, 18 Christine Belisle, 19 Becky Boyd, 20 Kendall Waudby, 21 Tahlia Brody, 22 Megan Davey, 23 Lia Green