Amelia Williams believes the confidence gained from securing a tryscoring bonus point against Gloucester-Hartpury will stand Loughborough Lightning in good stead ahead of this weekend’s fixture.
Just six days after putting four tries past the unbeaten defending champions, Lightning are back at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday to tackle their nearest rivals in the Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby table, Harlequins Women (kick-off: 2pm).
The African Violets have just three games remaining of the season with a trip to Trailfinders Women to follow before concluding their campaign at home once more on Sunday 2 June against Saracens.
“We know we can score four tries against the undefeated defending champions and we’ve got confidence from that heading into Quins and Trailfinders, we know we can just chase more and more,” said Williams.
“It was a tough game, going up against Gloucester it was always going to be hard,” added Williams, reflecting on the 61-26 loss. “But I think first half we definitely brought it to them. We knew it was going to be hard.
“Everything we did in training was to be brave come the game. We were chasing four tries and we got it.”
Amelia Williams
The fixture was the 19-year-old’s first Allianz PWR start, having made her Lightning debut from the bench against Leicester Tigers before starting both of the Allianz Cup wins over Sale Sharks.
“It was really big for me, I didn’t expect it at all,” said Williams, who packed down against Grand Slam winning Red Roses tighthead, Maud Muir. “Especially as I started playing BUCS when I first came here, then getting my first Prem game against Tigers not that long ago. Playing at home is always a big thing, especially with it being at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.”
The Kent native was replaced by experienced campaigner Katie Trevarthen, who could make her 100th appearance for the Club this weekend.
“Katie has been great for me, especially as our BUCS coach,” said Williams. “She was really helpful through that and we got to the final with her. She puts her experience into coaching and helps out through training. She has always been there for me.”
Alongside her breakthrough matches for Loughborough University and Loughborough Lightning, Williams also played for England Under-20s in their loss in France before defeating Wales.
She said: “It has got busier at the end of the season for me! Going out to France with England Under-20s, obviously that was a tough one, but I think going from 20s straight back into Lightning, everyone has been really helpful. I got to take my game that I love from Lightning straight into Wales with England and we got the win there. It has been a good experience.”
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