Sale ……………….12 L'borough ……..22
Loughborough full-back Lia Green played a starring role and barely missed a kick as Lightning opened a 10-point lead over Sale in the two-legged fifth place play-off.
Lock Cath O'Donnell, outside-centre Lucia Linn and hooker Lucy Calledine all scored as the Violets got their third win over Sharks this season.
This win at Heywood Road was particularly special to coach Nathan Smith's squad, with them being stretched to balance between the clash in Manchester and Wednesday's BUCS National Championships final.
Establishing a dominant set-piece platform early on, Lightning got on the front foot and a penalty just outside Sharks' 22 saw Green kick them into the lead.
Sharks bit back with several big carries before flyhalf Lizzie Duffy stylishly dummied a pass to run in and give the home side the lead on the 19th minute.
Loughborough prop Amelia Williams was sinbinned for not rolling away in the 25th minute, but Sale couldn't capitalise. Once back to a full complement, the visitors took the lead when O'Donnell crashedover after repeated pick and goes.
Lightning restarted well after half-time, inside-centre Carmella Morall breaking through the middle to free up Linn to slide over, before Calledine dotted down off a driving maul.
Loughborough's Ellie Roberts saw yellow for an illegal tackle, before Sale prop Jess Panayiotou powered over for a late try.
