Glasgow Warriors 19-31 Gwalia Lightning
Glasgow Warriors Women suffered a 19-31 defeat to Gwalia Lightning at Scotstoun Stadium this afternoon, following a dominant second-half display from the Welsh side.
The match initially ebbed and flowed as both sides looked to assert their game plan but Glasgow Warriors were able to gain valuable territory following a fantastic 50:22 from full-back Poppy Mellanby.
The hosts started to creep towards the line, with Briar McNamara seeking a gap in the defence, but Gwalia Lightning were able to relieve the pressure as Alaw Pyrs ripped the ball out of the centre’s hands.
Moments later, Warriors launched another attack as a well-timed pass from McNamara provided the perfect platform for Sky Phimister, with the winger displaying her pace once again to run down the touchline and score (5-0).
Gwalia Lightning were close to scoring through Nikita Prothero as the winger sprinted down the wing but a try-saving tackle from both Mellanby and Phimister put a halt to the visitor’s attack.
As the clock approached 30 minutes, Gwalia Lightning were able to strike again and take the lead when Tilly Vujac crashed down to score, with Cary Hughes adding the extras (5-7).
Following another period of sustained pressure, Gwalia Lightning were seeking another try before the end of the first-half and were almost across the whitewash but a knock-on at the line brought their attempt to an end.
HALF-TIME: Glasgow Warriors 5-7 Gwalia Lightning
Glasgow Warriors enjoyed a brighter start to the second-half, as Freya Walker produced a scintillating attack as she weaved past the defence to score and bring the side back into the lead, with Ceitidh Ainsworth slotting through the conversion (12-7).
A few minutes later, Gwalia Lightning brought the score to a level as Molly Reardon dotted down on the back of a strong driving maul (12-12).
The Warriors’ response was swift as Hannah Smyth sidled through Gwalia’s defence to bring the hosts close to the line, with Gemma Bell eventually powering over the line to score and Ainsworth adding the extras (19-12).
Gwalia Lightning rallied, however, as an unfortunate knock-on allowed Courtney Greenway to collect the ball and canter down the pitch to score, with Hughes’ conversion bring the score back to a level once again (19-19).
Greenway kept her try-scoring momentum going, with the winger recording her second try on the 67th minute of the match as Gwalia Lightning started to pull ahead in the game (19-24).
Despite Glasgow Warriors trying to mount a comeback, Gwalia Lightning displayed their dominance again as Greenway raced over to complete her hat-trick and Hughes slotting through the final conversion of the day (19-31).
Speaking after the match, Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Lindsey Smith said: “It was a bit of a frustrating match as we played well in parts, but we also didn’t look after the ball well enough and we got punished for it.
“It’s a learning experience for a lot of the players and they are still relatively young but overall there were some aspects that we were pretty pleased with today but we are still looking for that 80 minute performance.
“It was great to see the crowd turn out to Scotstoun today and see the players interacting with the kids on the pitch at the end too.”
Player of the Match: Courtney Greenway (Gwalia Lightning)
Edinburgh Rugby 12-50 Wolfhounds
While the scoreline favoured the visitors, it did not fully reflect the physical battle at the set-piece, where the Edinburgh pack put in a dogged shift and often dominated their Irish counterparts at scrum time.
However, the Wolfhounds – packed with seasoned internationals – proved too strong on the day, with their strong kicking game and expansive backline play proving to be the decisive factors.
The match began as a high-intensity affair with just two points separating the sides after the opening twenty minutes.
The Wolfhounds were the first to break the deadlock, taking the lead through a powerful effort from Erin King.
Edinburgh were quick to respond, however, through the always-dangerous Cieron Bell.
The winger showcased her finishing instinct by latching onto an offload and beating two defenders on a direct line to the whitewash Her try brought the hosts back into the contest at 5-7 and energised the Hive Stadium crowd.
As the half progressed, the Wolfhounds’ experience began to tell. They began to stretch the lead through clinical execution, with Aoibheann Reilly and Stacey Flood both getting in on the scoring action.
Edinburgh continued to threaten when they had possession in the tight, but they struggled to turn promising lineout positions into positive plays, often seeing hard-earned territory wasted.
Just before the interval, Edinburgh grabbed their second score of the afternoon as Talei Tawake wrestled her way over the line following a sustained period of pressure. Despite the effort, the visitors headed into the break with a commanding 12-33 lead.
The second period was a testament to Edinburgh’s grit as they battled to find a way back into the game. However, the Wolfhounds’ defensive organisation was superb, with their backline proving to be an impenetrable wall against the capital attacks.
Despite the home side’s best efforts to keep the contest competitive, the Irish side continued to utilise their tactical kicking to pin Edinburgh back and stretch the scoreline.
The visitors added several more tries in the final quarter to finish 12-50 winners, leaving Edinburgh with plenty of positives from their set-piece but a clear indication of the clinical standard required at the top level of the Celtic Challenge.
Player of the Match: Dannah O’Brien (Wolfhounds)
Brython Thunder 12-15 Clovers
Brython Thunder went down to a narrow 15-12 lost to Irish side Clovers in the Celtic Challenge Round 3 clash at Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Welsh side gave as good as they got in a physical and bruising clash with the runners up in last season’s Celtic Challenge.
This was a major step forward for a young Thunder side who more than held their own against one of the best teams in the league.
Full-back Amy Williams and captain Gwen Crabb crossed for tries for the home side.
Thunder were captained by Wales lock Crabb for the first time since her decision to return to home to play her club rugby. Wales Test stars Courtney Keight and Lisa Neumann were drafted in from the PWR clubs to make their debuts for Thunder. The Wales duo were joined by senior Wales internationals Natalia John and centre Hannah Bluck, making her first start of the campaign.
Wing Neumann had played in the original Celtic Challenge pilot but the tournament is unrecognisable with two teams from Wales and semi-finals and finals added to the league. Former Wales captain Rhian Bowden, who has been capped 49-times for her country, was drafted in from her club Senghenydd Sirens.
Clovers opened the scoring with a Caitriona Finn penalty before wing Emily Foley crossed for the game’s first try and to make the score 8-0 midway through the first half.
Centre Lucia Linn grabbed a second after a Brython fumble in midfield to run in from halfway. Finn converted to make it 15-0.
The home side replied with a try after a period of pressure and an astute cross-kick by fly-half Hanna Marshall which saw full-back Williams cross the whitewash. Marshall added the conversion from wide out.
Clovers dominated the rest of the half but a heroic defensive effort by Thunder for the last few minutes saw the score stay 15-7 at half-time.
After the break, Brython piled on the pressure and skipper Crabb scored off a well-worked driving lineout to bring the home side to within three points.
Both sides had their chances in the second half but well drilled defences held sway in a closely-fought second period.
Neither side took a backward step with big hits flying in but it was Clovers who came away with the win in Cardiff.
Player of the Match: Aoibheann McGrath (Clovers)
