The first points of the day came from captain Rachel Malcolm. After running a direct line, she crashed through the DMP Sharks defence to secure the first try of many, converted by Helena Rowland.
Not long after, the silky-smooth hands from the Lightning backs, allowed Olivia Jones to score try number two.
DMP were resilient in their hustle to hold Lightning back but came up short when Lightning was awarded a penalty try, tallying Lightning’s score up to 21.
Lighting went from strength to strength as a driving maul in the oppositions 22 led to a Lark Davis try - bonus point in the bag within 30 minutes!
Half time didn’t stool Lightning’s momentum. Within minutes, Ella Wyrwas sailed through a sea of blue sharks, sniping around the break down for a clear run under the sticks.
The tone was set early on for the second half. Lightning meant business.
Making a fantastic drive down the wing, Rhona Lloyd set up teammate Helena Rowland for her first Lightning try.
The team pushed on to score 45 points, but they aren’t stopping there. Soon after, another rolling maul headed towards the post, and Bryony Field secured try number 7.
A defensive slip up in front of the post gives DMP a penalty kick, allowing them to get their first 3 points on the board.
Fresh legs were injected onto the field, with Detysha Harper having a strong impact on the game. A combination of great ball handling from Scarratt and challenges from Harper displayed Lightning’s enormous skill range and continued to punch holes in the DMP defence.
Exploiting the pressure on the DMP defence, Rachael Woosey sped down her wing to boost the home side’s total to 50.
Anticipation started to build, after a Lightning Line out, with another try in Lightning’s reach. Anya Richmond delivered the goods, shortly followed by Lizzie Goulden’s conversion.
DMP’s fighting spirit wasn’t enough against a dominant Loughborough side, who held down a tight fort on their home soil. The game concluded with a victorious scoreline of 57-3 in Lightning’s favour.
Next week, Lightning will look to seal off a hattrick of wins, as they face Wasps away.
By Annabel Roddy