Edinburgh Rugby 26-43 Clovers
The afternoon started perfectly for the hosts. Dominating an early set-piece, Edinburgh’s pack provided the perfect platform for number 8 Cat Moody to pick from the base of a well-positioned scrum and power through the defence to open the scoring. Nicole Marlow’s successful conversion gave Edinburgh an early 7-0 lead and settle any pre-match nerves.
While the Clovers responded strongly with scores from Beibhinn Parsons, Beth Buttimer, and captain Ruth Campbell to take a 7-19 lead, Edinburgh struck back with a moment of pure magic.
Making her full debut, 18-year-old full-back Bethan Mathieson finished off a free-flowing team move. Centre Hannah Ramsay ignited the attack with a beautifully lofted pass to captain Hannah Walker, who showed her trademark pace to burn past her opposite defender.
Mathieson was perfectly positioned on Walker’s shoulder to collect the pass and race in, sparking emotional celebrations as she was mobbed by her teammates.
The Clovers extended their advantage after the break through Eilis Cahill, Anna McGann, Aoibheann McGrath, and a second from Buttimer, but the scoreboard failed to dampen Edinburgh’s resolve.
The home side rallied late with two tries that showcased their resolve. First, Hannah Walker broke from deep and found replacement Scarlett Haddow on her shoulder; Haddow showed incredible wheels to outpace the cover defence from 60 metres out.
The drama peaked in the dying moments as Edinburgh fought their way into the Clovers’ 22. After Nicole Marlow and Hannah Ramsay combined to bring the team within inches of the line, Pip Benson recycled the ball with speed.
Lock Adelle Ferrie proved far too strong to stop from close range, crashing over with the final play of the game to secure the fourth try and a hard-earned bonus point.
Player of the Match: Lucia Linn (Clovers)
Gwalia Lightning 7-52 Wolfhounds
The Welsh side came into this game third in the league table but still qualified for the play-offs due to other results going in their favour.
Gwalia, who have been in the tour four all season, now know they will play away if they are to qualify for the final in Edinburgh.
Wales flanker Bethan Lewis, who was making her debut for Gwalia Lightning in the Celtic Challenge, crossed for the home side’s try.
Welsh internationals Molly Reardon and Catherine Richards are named as co-captains with skipper Bryonie King sidelined with injury.
While experienced Wales internationals Lewis and lock Abbie Fleming were drafted into the starting line-up from the PWR and made their Gwalia Lightning and Celtic Challenge debuts.
Wales Number 8 Gwennan Hopkins made an impact with her first start of the season for Gwalia Lightning. Gwalia started the better of the two teams with the home side camped on the visitors line but the Irish side’s defence held firm.
Wolfhounds then crossed for a try with flanker Erin King crossing under the posts. Fly half Dannah O’Brien added the extras to make it 7-0.
The Irish side extended their lead soon after a period of pressure when wing Katie Corrigan crossed for a second try for Wolfhounds. O’Brien made the conversion and the score was 14-0 midway through the first half to the Irish side.
Prop Linda Djougang crossed for a third try, converted by O’Brien, to make it 21-0 to the reigning champions.
Centre Eve Higgins crossed for the bonus point try converted by O’Brien to show why Wolfhounds have been the dominant force in the Celtic Challenge.
Wing Corrigan crossed for her second try and O’Brien converted to make it 35-0 to Wolfhounds at half-time.
After the break, Number 8 India Daley scored for Wolfhounds before Gwalia Lightning crossed for a try to get on the scoreboard.
Number 8 Hopkins launched a Gwalia attack with a trademark charge that led to a score by flanker Lewis. Hughes converted the conversion to make it 40-7.
Wolfhounds replied with a try by replacement Alex Connor and full back Stacey Flood to seal a one-sided win.
Player of the Match: Linda Djougang (Wolfhounds)
Glasgow Warriors 10-32 Brython Thunder
With both sides seeking a place in the play-offs, the bonus-point victory from the visitors sees the Welsh side move up to fourth on the table, with Glasgow Warriors dropping to fifth.
Brython Thunder’s first score of the day was courtesy of Lisa Neumann, with the full-back breaking clear of two defenders and racing down the touchline to score (0-5).
Four minutes later, Glasgow Warriors had their first sight of adding points on to the board as a penalty was awarded after Brython Thunder collapsed a scrum, however, Millie Warren’s attempt hit the posts.
Warriors were quick to react and were able to regather the ball, with the side reaching the 5m line. Their efforts were left unrewarded though as some solid defensive work from Brython saw the side awarded a penalty at the breakdown.
With almost 20 minutes played, Glasgow Warriors saw another potential opportunity slip away as the side tested the resolve of the dogged Brython Thunder defence but a knock-on brought their attack to a halt once again.
A couple of further errors, along with Brython’s firm defensive efforts, continued to mar the progress of Warriors and the Welsh side were able to retake control of the game on the 30th minute when Seren Singleton sprinted over the whitewash (0-10).
Glasgow Warriors looked to retaliate, as Briar McNamara picked a superb line to sidle through the defence before dashing down the midfield but the ball was eventually turned over by the visitors.
Ahead of half-time, the hosts were able to get their first points on the board as another penalty attempt from Warren bisected the uprights (3-10).
Brython Thunder were quick off the mark in the second-half, scoring almost immediately after the break as Rianna Darroch’s kick was charged down by the visitors, with Mollie Wilkinson swiftly reacting as her perfectly placed grubber kick provided the opportunity for the centre to dot down over the line (3-15).
The visitors were able to grab their bonus-point try through Mabli Evans who cruised over into the corner to score and build on their comprehensive lead (3-20).
Brython Thunder continued to be relentless in their attack, piling on the pressure once again and were able to add to their growing tally when Seren Lockwood made a clean break before touching down under the posts, with Hanna Marshall adding the extras (3-27).
With less than ten minutes remaining, Warriors were able to launch an attack as Megan Hyland collected the ball on the back of a maul before breaking through the defence to bring the side within metres of the whitewash.
With momentum growing, some well-worked hands bought space for Hannah Smyth to sprint over the line, with Warren slotting the conversion through the posts (10-27).
It was Brython Thunder who had the last try of the day, however, as Ellie Tromans crossed over the line in the final minute of the match (10-32).
Player of the Match: Kate Williams (Brython Thunder)
