Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Canadians played a key role on both sides of the ball in Saturday’s Premier 15s match between Loughborough and Exeter. It was the Lightning who ultimately took the spoils on their home ground with a hard-fought 14-7 win over the Chiefs.
After a long stalemate to start the game, it was Exeter who scored first through McKinley Hunt. One of seven players from Canada in the match, she followed up Spanish scrumhalf Patricia Garcia’s quick tap to drive over from close range. The USA’s Gabby Cantorna added the extras.
The Lightning struck before the break through a Rhona Lloyd breakaway to even the scores, with a long-range penalty effort from Cantorna falling short. In the second half it was England international Lark Davies scoring a forward’s effort with Emily Scarratt’s second conversion sealing the result.
Loughborough had outstanding efforts from starters DaLeaka Menin, Courtney Holtkamp, and Sara Svoboda, while Abby Duguid made a cameo as a late replacement. Holtkamp was recognized as Player of the Game for her performance that included several strong runs and a huge defensive impact.
Exeter’s North American contingent can also hold their heads high. Hunt was a powerhouse in the tight-loose with fellow Canucks Emily Tuttosi and Taylor Black also prominent. Cantorna continued her fine form, as did Eagles captain Kate Zackary in the Chiefs back row.
The match in its entirety can be viewed below.
SCORING
LOUGHBOROUGH 14
Tries – R. Lloyd (33’), L. Davies (38’)
Cons – E. Scarratt 2/2 (34’, 39’)
EXETER 7
Tries – M. Hunt (26’)
Cons – G. Cantorna 1/1 (27’)
Pens – G. Cantorna 0/1
TEAMS
LOUGHBOROUGH LIGHTNING
1 Katie Trevarthen, 2 Lark Davies, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Courtney Holtkamp, 5 Anya Richmond, 6 Sara Svoboda, 7 Amelia Harper, 8 Rachel Malcolm (capt.), 9 Megan Davey, 10 Helena Rowland, 11 Ellen Ramsbottom, 12 Helen Nelson, 13 Emily Scarratt, 14 Rhona Lloyd, 15 Abbie Brown
Replacements: 16 Bryony Field, 17 Leah Barlett, 18 Detysha Harper, 19 Abby Duguid, 20 Becky Noon, 21 Ella Wyrwas, 22 Emma Hardy, 23 Isla Alejandro
EXETER CHIEFS
1 Sachiko Kato, 2 Emily Tuttosi, 3 Laura Delgado, 4 Poppy Leitch, 5 McKinley Hunt, 6 Abbie Fleming, 7 Kate Zackary, 8 Linde van der Velden (capt.), 9 Patricia Garcia, 10 Taylor Black, 11 Garnet Mackinder, 12 Gabby Cantorna, 13 Lauren Cattell, 14 Lottie Holland, 15 Merryn Doidge
Replacements: 16 Daisy French, 17 Michaella Roberts, 18 Kayleigh Armstrong, 19 Alex Powell, 20 Ebony Jefferies, 21 Ffion Lewis, 22 Flo Robinson,23 Niamh Terry
