Gwalia outscore Edinburgh for Celtic Challenge win
Edinburgh (12) 27Tries: Campbell, Walker 2, Ronald, Bell Cons: ScottGwalia Lightning (14) 29Tries: Terry, Wakely, Hopkins, Pyrs Cons: Hughes 3 Pens: Hughes
Gwalia Lightning secured a narrow Celtic Challenge victory against Edinburgh in a high-scoring match at Hive Stadium.In a back-and-forth first half, Shona Campbell gave the hosts the lead with a magnificent individual try, evading several defenders to go over in the corner.Gwalia hit back with two tries of their own - Lily Terry benefitting from a neat offload from Alaw Pyrs for the first before Molly Wakely crashed over from close range.Edinburgh winger Hannah Walker raced down the left wing to score her sixth try of the competition before half-time, but the Welsh side held a two-point lead at the break.The topsy-turvy nature of the game continued after the interval. Aila Ronald and Cieron Bell crossed as Edinburgh secured a try-scoring bonus point, while Gwennan Hopkins barged over and Carys Hughes kicked a penalty for the visitors.Walker then held off two would-be tacklers to score her second and Edinburgh's fifth try, but there was to be one final twist.Pyrs showed impressive strength to reach the line for Gwalia's fourth try, levelling the scores, and Hughes' third successful conversion of the game gave them a late two-point lead.Edinburgh had one final chance with the clock in the red, but Scott was held up by the scrambling Gwalia defence in the game's final act.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Argus
an hour ago
- South Wales Argus
Welsh Rugby Union pays tribute to Sir Billy Boston
The 90-year-old rugby legend was awarded a knighthood in the King's Birthday Honours, becoming the first player from the rugby league code to receive the honour. Born in Cardiff's Tiger Bay, Sir Billy was also a pioneer in rugby union, becoming the first black player to represent Wales in a representative side. Abi Tierney, chief executive of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), said: "The WRU is delighted to join in the celebrations of the honour bestowed on Sir Billy Boston. "His playing achievements in rugby league speak for themselves and he was a hugely promising rugby union player in his youth. "He has been a magnificent ambassador for both his sport, his 'home' city of Cardiff and for his adopted home of Wigan. "He was a trailblazer in his day and remains one of the greatest names in Welsh sporting history." Sir Billy's rugby journey began at Cardiff Schools U15, where he won the Dewar Shield in 1949. The team included future Wales captain Lloyd Williams and heavyweight boxing champion Joe Erskine. At 17, he captained the Boys Clubs of Wales in a 32-0 win over England in February 1952, scoring 17 points, including a hat-trick of tries. He later played for Neath and Pontypridd before beginning his national service. In March 1952, he was capped by the Wales Youth team and became the first black player to represent Wales at any level in rugby union. Despite never playing for Cardiff's senior side, Sir Billy's talent drew attention. After a standout performance for the Cardiff & District XV against Cardiff, Western Mail journalist JBG Thomas wrote: "The District had a splendid centre in W Boston, who should be in the Cardiff Athletic XV." Instead, Sir Billy turned professional at 18, signing a £3,000 contract with Wigan on March 13, 1953. During national service at Catterick, he starred for the Royal Signals XV, scoring six tries in the 1953 Army Cup Final and four in the Army's 1954 win over the Territorial Army. Rugby writer Pat Marshall of the Daily Express wrote at the time: "If he had not signed professional forms he must have been in the current Welsh Rugby Union side. "Quite simply, he is one of the greatest running back I have seen." Sir Billy made his Wigan first team debut on November 21, 1953, against Barrow, scoring the first of his 478 tries in 488 appearances for the club. He went on to score two tries in his second game, three in his third, and four in his fourth. In 1954, he became the youngest player to tour Australia with Great Britain, scoring 36 tries in 18 games, including seven hat-tricks. He also became the first black player to tour Australasia with the team. Sir Billy remains a towering figure in the sport, inducted into the British Rugby League Hall of Fame, the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame, and the Wigan Warriors Hall of Fame. He was made an MBE in 1996 for services to the community in Wigan. Statues in his honour stand at Wembley, Wigan, and Cardiff Bay. He twice topped the rugby league try-scoring charts, scoring 60 tries in the 1956-57 season. Sir Billy won the Challenge Cup three times, and in the 1960 Championship final, scored twice to help Wigan secure their first title in eight years.
Scotsman
4 hours ago
- Scotsman
Who won Race Across the World today? BBC final recap
See which of the four teams managed to win Race Across the World series 5 🏃♂️ Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Race Across the World has crowned the winners for series 5. The winning pair walks away with the grand prize after the final leg. But which team made it to the last checkpoint first? The fifth winners of Race Across the World have been crowned after a rollercoaster final on the BBC. The remaining teams faced one last dash to reach the last checkpoint on a truly mammoth journey. After eight weeks - and around 14,000km - four pairs successfully completed the journey from the Great Wall of China to Kanyakumari in India. It is an incredible journey that has taken them across two of the most populous countries in the world - via Nepal. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However, all good things must come to an end, as they say. The final of Race Across the World's fifth series took place tonight (June 11) and just over seven hours separated the top three teams heading into the last leg. But which of the pairs managed to run out as victors at the end of the race? Here's all you need to know: Who won Race Across the World series 5? Race Across the World series 5 finalists | BBC Heading into the final leg of the mammoth race from China to the bottom of India, mother and son duo Caroline and Tom were in the lead. They reclaimed the top spot at the end of last week's seventh leg - as then-leaders Brian and Melvyn saw themselves tumble to the bottom of the leader board after opting for the rural route and avoiding Mumbai and falling 17 hours behind. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Caroline and Tom had a nearly seven hour lead over sisters Elizabeth and Letita. Young Welsh couple Fin and Sioned were ever so slightly further behind at seven hours and 48 minutes - having clawed back from a 33 hour deficit earlier in the season. It set things up for a dramatic final dash across the southern states of India. But who made it to Kanyakumari first? Caroline and Tom were the first to reach the last checkpoint and thus were crowned winners of Race Across the World series five. What does the winner of Race Across the World get? The winning couple walk away with a £20,000 jackpot - as well as bragging rights of course. It has been the same prize since the show began back in 2019. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Fortunately for fans, the show is not completely over as there is still one episode left in the season. Race Across the World will be back next week (June 18) with a reunion special that will reunite the five teams six months after the end of the race. It promises unseen footage, behind-the-scenes insights and plenty more. Find out how to watch it here. Have you got a story you want to share with our readers? You can now send it to us online via YourWorld at . It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.
Scotsman
7 hours ago
- Scotsman
Hearts transfer offer to sign Nigerian striker Uchenna Ogundu from Turkey
More new signings are in the pipeline at Tynecastle ahead of season 2025/26 Sign up to our Hearts newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Teenage Nigerian striker Uchenna Ogundu is a transfer target for Hearts. New Tynecastle head coach Derek McInnes is eager to add centre-forwards to his squad for next season and Ogundu is wanted alongside the Portuguese Claudio Braga. The Oxford United centre-back Stuart Findlay also close to finalising a move to Edinburgh. Ogundu, 19, played with the Turkish second-tier side Sanliurfaspor last season but is wanted by Super Lig clubs Fenerbahce and Samsunspor. Hearts have put forward an offer to sign Ogundu, although they face further competition for his signature. The player also has interest from Hull City, Sturm Graz, Fortuna Sittard and Gornik Zabrze. He is keen to play at the highest level and Fenerbahce officials have discussed signing him with a view to an immediate loan, which could also appeal to Hearts and others. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He would bring speed and power to the Tynecastle forward line. He is 6ft 2in tall and can operate as a central striker or wide on the right. He moved to Turkey last August from Diamond Academy in his native Nigeria, scoring six goals and claiming two assists in 19 appearances for Sanliurfaspor since making his senior debut in January. His performances captured attention from scouts and his data ranked well when assessed by Hearts' recruitment partner, Jamestown Analytics. McInnes is in the midst of rebuilding the first-team squad at Riccarton. Four signings are already in place in the shape of Norwegian right-back Christian Borchgrevink, Greek winger Alexandros Kyziridis, Belgian striker Elton Kabangu and Irish midfielder Oisin McEntee. McInnes hopes to add both Braga and Ogundu to his attack and is still awaiting a final decision on whether Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland intends to extend his contract. Teenage Scotland internationalist James Wilson is also part of the squad and will compete for game time next season. Latest news on Hearts transfer targets - Arzani and Chesnokov deals In addition to players mentioned above, Hearts have made an approach to sign the Australian international winger Daniel Arzani. He has interest from other clubs in Europe and Asia. Negotiations are continuing as Hearts try to sign the Kazakhstan international forward Islam Chesnokov. He is willing to sign a pre-contract agreement to move to Edinburgh in November but Tynecastle management would prefer a quick deal this summer. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad McInnes has already stated that he sees Wilson as a player who can develop further having watched him emerge from the Riccarton youth academy and play regularly under previous Hearts managers Steven Naismith and Neil Critchley. 'He's one of a few academy products that have come through at the club,' said McInnes. 'Credit to Naisy and Neil who played him. 'Obviously, being involved in the Scotland set-up elevates him. I remember playing a closed-door game against Naisy's team at Rugby Park a while back. The boy came on and I liked him right away. His movement is really top-class in and around the box. He works in tight spaces and he's proven that he's a good footballer. 'He can see that and he knows his way to goal. So the more goal threats you have, the better. It's getting that balance, having the right type of strikers. I want to work with four or five strikers at the top end of the pitch and everybody's got to be able to give something a wee bit different. I think James is one of the boys that's got a lot to offer.'
