Round 14 in Numbers

PWR Round 14 kicked off under the Friday night lights in Northampton where Loughborough Lightning met Harlequins. The visitors opened up the scoring with a try from Ellie Kildunne, successfully converted from the tee. From there, the game went back and forth until Lightning made a statement with Bo Westcombe Evans scoring two tries to give her team a 10-point lead before the break. It was all to play for in the second half and each side gave their all, but it was Loughborough Lightning who came out strongest, pushing to gain a 43-33 win.

Next up was a trip to Devon for Trailfinders Women, ready to take on Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park. With both sides fighting for a play-off spot, a positive result could help them get there. Claudia Moloney-MacDonald got over the line in the 4th minute, giving Chiefs an early lead, and although Trailfinders got one back, the home side continued to add points on the board. Maisy Allen’s try in the 69th minute was successfully converted, totalling the last points of the game and making it 47-14 to Exeter Chiefs.

Leicester Tigers returned to Mattioli Woods Welford Road, hoping to cause upset to Sale Sharks. They started off strong with 3 points on the board from Tess Feury’s penalty goal in the 9th minute, but the Shark’s teeth were sharp as they bit back. Molly Wright’s try brought Sale back ahead, a position that they would then stay at for the rest of the game. In the 79th minute, Rhona Lloyd scored her second try of the game, marking the final points and a 3-62 win for the Northerners.

The final game of the weekend was no small feat, as Saracens took on Gloucester Hartpury in a repeat of the 2024-25 final. Olivia Apps broke through the Gloucester line in the 5th minute, giving Saracens an early lead, furthered by Zoe Harrison’s successful conversion. Gloucester responded shortly, followed by another try for each side, but Saracens led by 2 points at the break. A Gloucester try and Saracens penalty goal saw both sides go level as they returned to the field. Though, the champions’ response was imminent as Alex Matthew’s third try in the 74th minute was the one to make the difference, ending the game 17-22 to them and securing the first-place spot.

Loughborough Lightning’s Bo Westcombe Evans had a successful game with 15 points from 3 tries, 215 matres made, 6 line breaks, 14 line carries and 12 defenders beaten (all 1st in round).

For the full rundown, head over to the Stats Hub where you’ll find up-to-date player and club statistics and rankings!

Other key performances included:

• Sara Svoboda (Harlequins) was the most successful tackler of the round, making 22 tackles.
• Natasha Hunt (Gloucester Hartpury) made 106 passes during her time on the pitch (1st in round and season), she is also the season leader in try assists (14).
• Bulou Mataitoga (Loughborough Lightning) made 4 offloads (1st in round), closely followed by Amy Relf (Sale Sharks), with 3.
• Zoe Harrison (Saracens) made 3/3 place kicks successfully (1st in round) and has an 81% average (2nd in season).

 

Team of the Week, as per Oval Insights:

• Niamh O'Dowd (Gloucester Hartpury)
• Alba Capell (Sale Sharks)
• Maud Muir (Gloucester Hartpury)
• Maia Roos (Trailfinders Women)
• Alana Borland (Trailfinders Women)
• Daisy Hibbert-Jones (Loughborough Lightning)
• Maisy Allen (Exeter Chiefs)
• Alex Matthews (Gloucester Hartpury)
• Olivia Apps (Saracens)
• Ella Cromack (Harlequins)
• Bo Westcombe Evans (Loughborough Lightning)
• Carmela Morrall (Loughborough Lightning)
• Laura Perrin (Sale Sharks)
• Rhona Lloyd (Sale Sharks)
• Courtney Keight (Sale Sharks)

 

To read the Oval Insights Review of Round 14, click here.