'We did a really good job': Ives Campion pleased with Lightning's second half efforts in Devon

At the end of Loughborough Lightning’s 26-5 loss to Exeter Chiefs there were plenty of mixed emotions for Lilli Ives Campion.

Even though her team lost out to fellow top four contenders, the 22-year-old was awarded Player of the Match for her directness and work at the lineout in the second half as savage weather overtook proceedings in Devon.

In their 80 minutes on the turf Loughborough saw the good and bad of themselves. Simply due to error count they allowed Exeter to build up a 19-5 half-time lead.

Across the second half the East Midlanders tightened things up and had much the better of things. It just did not translate to the scoreboard and Chiefs bagged a bonus point with Dorothy Wall’s try with the final play of the game.

“I don’t think I’ve ever played in weather quite like it,” Ives Campion told Loughborough Lightning. “I think the team did really well, especially in the second half, we tightened up what we wanted to do. It isn’t the result we wanted but Exeter really took it to us, which is exactly what we expected.

“Unfortunately we didn’t come away with the win but we did a really good job. The minute the weather comes into play, you really have to adapt what you do.

“When you’re playing with so much rain, the ball gets a bit slippy and you have to tighten up and play a bit more direct.

“We came into the changing room at half-time, put a plan together, and that really helped us in the second half.

“We couldn’t quite get over the line but there were some big improvements from first half to second half, but we need to go back and look at what we need to do to get over the line.”

Next up, after two away trips to start 2026, Lightning have a visit from Bristol Bears to look forward to at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.

“I am so excited, I absolutely love playing at home,” she said. “It is an amazing stadium and I love the fans that come out and watch. I can’t wait to play Bristol, they’re really on the up lately.

“We had a really competitive game with them last time, coming in at half-time behind but we won the game. It’s going to be a really good match and I cannot wait to play.”