Round 15 review: Sharks grab first win, Trailfinders edge out Bears while Lightning and Saracens claim bragging rights

Sale Sharks got off the mark for the season in Round 15 while Loughborough Lightning and Saracens claimed bragging rights with derby victories.

The weekend began with a bang as Trailfinders Women beat Bristol Bears before Lightning emerged victorious in the East Midlands derby at Leicester Tigers.

The Saturday afternoon clash saw Saracens end Harlequins' winning streak at Twickenham Stoop, moving to within just two points of their neighbours in the table.

Sunday's action brought a stunning Sharks success at Sandy Park as they downed high-flying Exeter Chiefs.

Saturday 25 January

Trailfinders Women 39-38 Bristol Bears

Trailfinders Women withstood a late Bristol Bears comeback to win a thrilling contest in West London.

W̶e̶'r̶e̶ G̶o̶i̶n̶g̶ 𝐖𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐚 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐭! 🐻#TFWvBRI | #FollowTheTrail 💚 pic.twitter.com/P5HLdJg15l

— Trailfinders Women (@TrailfindersW) January 25, 2025

The hosts flew out the traps with two tries inside the first eight minutes courtesy of Kate Zackary and Lisa Thomson, with the latter then securing the try bonus point following a further score for Liz Musgrove.

Lark Atkin-Davies, Alisha Joyce-Butchers and Millie David responded for Bears in between times but Musgrove's second on the stroke of half time opened up a 27-21 lead for Trailfinders at the break.

Reneeqa Bonner's try brought Bristol back to within a point but Tyson Beukeboom responded instantly before Grace Moore zipped under the posts to stretch the home side's advantage to 39-26.

Bears were not going to go down without a fight and scored twice late on, David and Atkin-Davies completing braces to set up a one-point game, but Trailfinders dug deep to secure a valuable victory.

Tries

Trailfinders Women: Kate Zackary, Lisa Thomson (2), Liz Musgrove (2), Tyson Beukeboom, Grace Moore

Bristol Bears: Lark Atkin-Davies (2), Alisha Joyce-Butchers, Millie David (2), Reneeqa Bonner

Leicester Tigers 12-61 Loughborough Lightning

Loughborough Lightning ran in nine tries to secure East Midlands bragging rights at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

Krissy Scurfield and Rachel Malcolm crossed inside the first quarter of an hour before Charlotte Fray's try got the hosts back into it.

Lightning turned on the style again shortly afterwards as Kathryn Treder finished off a dominant rolling maul before Helena Rowland marked her 50th Lightning appearance with a sparkling solo score to bring up the bonus point.

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Tahlia Brody crossed for Tigers' second late in the first half but they were unable to build on that momentum as Scurfield completed a try double six minutes into the second period.

Christine Belisle was next to go over before Leia Brebner-Holden crossed for her first Lightning try. Carmela Morrall's interception score and Daisy Hibbert-Jones' late try then added further gloss to the scoreline as the visitors closed out their fifth win of the season.

Tries

Leicester Tigers: Charlotte Fray, Tahlia Brody

Loughborough Lightning: Krissy Scurfield (2), Rachel Malcolm, Kathryn Treder, Helena Rowland, Christine Belisle, Leia Brebner-Holden, Carmela Morrall, Daisy Hibbert-Jones

Harlequins 10-33 Saracens

Lotte Sharp crossed twice as Saracens won the cross-capital clash at Twickenham Stoop and ended Harlequins' 10-match winning streak.

Sharp scored the opening try of the game, one which was quickly followed up by Bryony Field as the visitors opened up a 12-0 lead.

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Ellie Kildunne reduced the arrears for the hosts before half time but Sharp started the second half as she had the first, a brilliant try on 44 minutes stretching Sarries' advantage.

Sophie Bridger finished off a fantastic coast-to-coast team try to secure the bonus point and, after Abbie Fleming crossed for Quins' second, Akina Gondwe's score put the icing on the cake for the victorious visitors.

Tries

Harlequins: Ellie Kildunne, Abbie Fleming

Saracens: Lotte Sharp (2), Bryony Field, Sophie Bridger, Akina Gondwe

Sunday 26 January

Exeter Chiefs 7-12 Sale Sharks

Sale Sharks defied tough conditions to earn a vital win at Exeter Chiefs, who slipped to a third defeat in four matches.

SAAAYYYULLLL

A massive win on the road#EXEvSAL #NorthernRugbyMatters pic.twitter.com/0jJxCRLqmo

— Sale Sharks Women (@SaleSharksWomen) January 26, 2025

Following a scoreless opening half-hour in the wind and rain, Sale scored the game's first try when Molly Wright finished off a dominant driving maul.

The advantage stayed at 5-0 until half time, after which Beatrice Rigoni carved through the home defence and dotted down under the posts for a try which Vicky Irwin converted.

Chiefs set up a grandstand finish when Emily Robinson crossed and Gabby Cantorna added the extras, though the match was then halted with eight minutes remaining amid a thunder and lightning storm.

When the players returned, Sharks held firm for a vital victory - their first of the season at the 13th attempt.

Tries

Exeter Chiefs: Emily Robinson

Sale Sharks: Molly Wright, Beatrice Rigoni