Wolfhounds were crowned Celtic Challenge 24/25 champions in spectacular fashion, scoring an incredible 102 points in their final match. Clovers secured a hard-fought away win in Wales, while Brython Thunder and Glasgow Warriors delivered a thrilling showdown to close out the season in style.
Clovers Close Out Celtic Challenge With Nine-Try Away Victory
Final Score: Gwalia Lightning 33-55 Clovers
An Irish 1-2 at the top of the table was already assured, but it was a second place finish for Denis Fogarty’s well-drilled Clovers in the end as the Wolfhounds retained the title with a final victory in Dublin.
Fogarty’s charges started in determined fashion, Jane Neill charging down a Sian Jones kick before Sophie Barrett stormed over. Three maul tries – with two scored by Deirbhile Nic a Bháird – made it 36-12 at the break.
Gwalia Lightning got on a roll early in the second half, notching tries through Kelsie Webster and Alaw Prys to add to earlier efforts from returning flanker Gwennan Hopkins and Caitlin Lewis, who ran in an intercept score.
Nonetheless, Anna McGann slipped away from two tackles to keep the Clovers on course, and further tries from teenage replacement Jemima Adams Verling (62 minutes) and captain Enya Breen (68) made certain of their eighth triumph in nine outings.
It was a case of what might have been for Breen and her team-mates, as they finished just two points behind the Wolfhounds at the summit after playing one match less.
Their round 5 encounter with Glasgow Warriors – postponed in January due to Storm Éowyn – was recorded as a 0-0 draw. Both teams were awarded two league points as the organising committee, having reviewed the available reserve weekends and fixture schedule, deemed there was insufficient space to rearrange the game.
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Wolfhounds Score Century Of Points To Claim Second Celtic Challenge Crown
Final Score: Wolfhounds 102-0 Edinburgh Rugby
Needing a ninth victory of the campaign to stay clear of the chasing Clovers, Neill Alcorn’s side sealed a top of the table finish with an ultra-clinical 16-try performance against a young, injury-hit Edinburgh outfit.
Flying full-back Amy Larn scored the pick of the first-half tries, running back a kick from almost 80 metres out as she left her opposite number Hannah Ramsay for dead. The hosts led 50-0 at the break.
Talented teenage lock Alma Atagamen had touched down inside the opening two minutes, and Molly Scuffil-McCabe, Vicky Elmes Kinlan, Leah Tarpey, Maebh Clenaghan, and Linda Djougang also crossed, along with a penalty try from a maul.
Centre Tarpey finished with a hat-trick of tries – a tally matched by Katie Corrigan during just 25 second-half minutes – and Aoife Dalton, captain Claire Boles, and replacement Lauren Farrell McCabe added to the try haul as Edinburgh leaked 102 unanswered points.
Farrell McCabe landed four conversions to add to Dannah O’Brien’s six successful kicks, while the Wolfhounds looked most pleased to maintain their defensive shutout despite replacement Aoife Wafer’s late yellow card.
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Brython Thunder finish with flourish
Final Score: Brython Thunder 34-22 Glasgow Warriors
Brython Thunder secured their third win of the campaign against Glasgow Warriors in Round 10 of the Celtic Challenge at Parc y Scarlets. The Welsh side scored six tries, with contributions from Eleanor Hing, Hannah Bluck, Hannah Lane, Gabby Healan, and Catrin Jones. This match marked the second consecutive league game against the Scottish team and concluded the campaign for Brython Thunder.
The victory allowed Brython Thunder to finish fourth in the Celtic Challenge table, with the Irish team Wolfhounds already crowned champions after their win over Edinburgh Rugby. Brython Thunder aimed for a fourth-place finish, competing closely with Edinburgh Rugby in the standings. The match began with Eleanor Hing scoring the first try, followed by Hannah Bluck and Emma Marshall’s successful conversion, giving Thunder an early lead.
Glasgow Warriors responded with a try, narrowing the score to 12-7. Despite Glasgow’s efforts, Brython Thunder extended their lead with additional tries from Hannah Lane, Gabby Healan, and Catrin Jones. Glasgow managed to score two more tries through Emily Norval and Poppy Fletcher, making the score 24-17 at halftime.
In the second half, Catrin Jones scored another try for Brython Thunder, but Glasgow quickly replied with a try from Orla Proctor. The match concluded with Hannah Lane’s decisive try, ensuring Brython Thunder’s victory with a final score of 34-22.