[ad_1]
Kanako Kobayashi scored a hat-trick of tires to help Exeter Chiefs beat Loughborough Lightning at Sandy Park.
Japan centre Kobayashi came off the bench after 14 minutes, replacing Katie Buchanan, to run in three tries as Exeter earned a 43-7 win on home soil.
The victory keeps them third in the standings and on track for the season-ending semi-finals.
Loughborough sit fifth and 14 points shy of fourth-placed Bristol Bears after a third loss in four games.
Elsewhere, Sale Sharks’ first game at Salford Community Stadium ended in a 26-10 defeat against Ealing Trailfinders.
Tries from Kate Zackery, Rosie Inman and Emma Swords had the Trailfinders leading 19-0 at half time.
Zackery crossed for a second time after the break to ensure a comfortable win against the bottom side in the division.