Loughborough Lightning Triumphs Over Harlequins 43-33 with Stellar Returns
Loughborough Lightning secured a vital victory against Harlequins, winning 43-33 in a thrilling encounter at Northampton's Franklin's Gardens on Friday. The match marked the return of England stars Ellie Kildunne and Sadia Kabeya, who had recently faced difficulties while stranded in Dubai due to escalating conflicts in the Middle East. Kildunne made an immediate impact, scoring the opening try for Harlequins, followed by Jade Konkel, who helped extend their lead early in the match. On the opposing side, Kabeya, along with fellow World Cup winners Helena Rowland and Lilli Ives Campion, made their first start together since England's triumph in September. However, it was Bo Westcombe-Evans who shone brightly, netting a remarkable hat-trick for Loughborough Lightning. The Lightning's scoring was bolstered by tries from: Lis Maude Daisy Hibbert-Jones A quickfire double from Westcombe-Evans This offensive display gave Lightning a commanding 24-14 lead at halftime. After the break, Christine Belisle further extended the hosts' lead, while Freya Aucken and Sarah Parry responded for Harlequins, reigniting their hopes. Despite the efforts from Quins, Westcombe-Evans completed her hat-trick, and Carmela Morrall added another try, rendering Ella Cromack's late score for Harlequins a mere consolation. This victory marked Loughborough's first win in six games, allowing them to climb two places to sixth in the standings, while Harlequins remained in fourth.
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-03-13