Loughborough Lightning went down to a home loss to an experienced Saracens side in their PWR: The Cup Round 3 encounter.
A try from Haineala Lutui and a solo stunner from Cieron Bell were two positives for Lightning in a difficult afternoon at Loughborough University.
It was a strong performance from the visitors who ran in nine tries despite a valiant effort from Lightning.
FIRST HALF
Saracens struck first in the opening five minutes. A dropped pass allowed Sophie Bridger to pick the ball up in open space and run the ball in from halfway.
Lightning responded with consistent pressure inside the 22 building through the phases, and eventually it was the powerhouse No.8 Luiti who crashed over.
Saracens came back with a solid individual effort from Deborah Wills down the left wing to finish the third score, and added another shortly after a nicely weighted grubber kick allowed Jemma Jo Linkins to dot down.
Despite the barrage of scores, Lightning were holding their own with Green kicking well for territory.
The visitors added one more before the break with consistent pressure building in the red zone, with over 60-capped Red Rose international Poppy Cleall crashing over to take the score at the break to 7-33.
1⃣2⃣ Lutui powers over!💪
— Loughborough Lightning Rugby ⚡️ (@LightningRugby) September 6, 2025
Lightning build solid pressure in the 22 and it's the No.8 who powers over
⚡️0-7💫 pic.twitter.com/M3d8bDlEgl
SECOND HALF
Sarries started the second period just as they finished the first with a try on the board from Cleall.
Lightning looked like they were in down the wing, but Saracens won a penalty, and Ellen Scantlebury was sent to the sinbin following a discussion with the referee.
Saracens capitalised on the player advantage with a lineout move off the top, and the flanker, Charlotte Wright-Haley, picked a hard line and went over the whitewash.
Lightning were determined to pull themselves back into the game, and Bell got their second try of the game, picking off an excellent intercept and ran it in from halfway for a brilliant solo effort.
However, Saracens responded immediately with another try from Emma Hardy and finished off the game with one more from Jo Linkins.
On the result, Head Coach Nathan Smith said: “I thought Saracens were really strong, they’re an experienced PWR team and that showed at times.
“In the second half, our energy improved, and as a young squad, we’ll build on these experiences.”
Loughborough Lightning 2025/26 Season Tickets (which included the home cup match versus Saracens) are still available HERE, priced* from just £65 (adult) and £30 juniors.
6⃣3⃣ THE BELL'S ARE RINGING 🔔
— Loughborough Lightning Rugby ⚡️ (@LightningRugby) September 6, 2025
Cieron Bell picks off an excellent intercept and runs it in from halfway
⚡️12-47💫 pic.twitter.com/zln9S979eo
LINE UPS:
LIGHTNING: 15 Scott, 14 Scantlebury, 13 Tromans, 12 Morrall (C), 11 Westcombe-Evans, 10 Green, 9 Davey; 1 Curphy, 2 Calladine, 3 Belisle, 4 Baynes, 5 Fitzpatrick, 6 Finch, 7 Waudby, 8 Lutui
Replacements: 16 Adjei-Ansere, 17 Williams 18 Clifford, 19 Buffery-Lataham, 20 E.Roberts, 21 Maude, 22 Luthayi, 23 Bell.
SARACENS: 15 Mckenna, 14 Jo Linkins, 13 Hardy, 12 Bridger, 11 Wills, 10 MacDougall, 9 Wyras; 1 Crake, 2 Field, 3 Tremelling, 4 McMillan (C), 5 Verghese,6 Bennett, 7 Wright-Haley, 8 Cleall
Replacements: 16 Fitzgerald, 17, Flanagan, 18 McHugh, 19 Turner, 20 MacCutchan, 21 Sellors, 22 Gregson, 23 Tutt
*Season Ticket prices are subject to a booking fee of £2.50 per Season Ticket, plus £10 admin fee for Direct Debit.
