Lightning's Celtic Challenge title hopes ended by Wolfhounds loss

Yahoo

01-03-2025

Celtic Challenge Cup
Gwalia Lightning (0) 17
Tries: Parry, King, Lewis Cons: Hughes
Wolfhounds (41) 48
Tries: Boles (3), Tarpey, Kinlan (2), Higgins, Corrigan Cons: O'Brien (2)
The Wolfhounds moved one step closer to defending their Celtic Challenge title as they ended Gwalia Lightning's title hopes in a try-packed 80 minutes in Ystrad Mynach.
The Wolfhounds ran in seven tries in the first half, as they put Lightning under relentless pressure.
Wolfhounds captain Claire Boles scored the first try for the Irish side, before centre Leah Tarpey finished a break-away try under Lightning's sticks.
A third try for Wolfhounds came inside the first fifteen minutes, wing Vicky Elmes Kinlan moving the Irish side into a healthy 17-0 lead.
The bonus point was wrapped up soon after as Eve Higgins crossed before Boles scored her second try of the game seven minutes before the break.
There was still time for wing Katie Corrigan to get involved in the try-scoring action, and for Boles to score her hat-trick try before half-time.
Kinlan's second try of the game put Wolfhounds 48-0 up, before Gwalia finally showed some resistance.
Rhodd Parry got Gwalia on the board with their first try of the game, and Lightning captain Bryonie King added a second try for the hosts under the posts.
Gwalia wing Caitlin Lewis scored the game's final try, but the result had long been decided.
Elsewhere, Clovers' win over Edinburgh means the 2024-25 Celtic Challenge will be won by one of the two Irish sides.
Gwalia will finish the season in third place, regardless of results in the final round of fixtures.
They can, however, dent Clovers' title hopes, when they host the Irish side at Ystrad Mynach on Saturday, 8 March.
Wolfhounds can seal the title with victory on the same day against Edinburgh at Donnybrook Stadium in Dublin.
Gwalia Lightning captain Bryonie King told BBC Sport Wales:
"We're really disappointed with how the first half went, but I couldn't be more proud of the girls for how we came out in the second half.
"As a team we are disappointed, we know what we are capable of and that second half showed it.
"Now there's a lot of work-ons for next week and we'll be ready for the fight against Clovers."
Gwalia Lightning: Jenny Hesketh; Courtney Greenway, Kelsie Webster, Molly Anderson-Thomas, Caitlin Lewis; Carys Hughes, Sian Jones; Maisie Davies, Molly Wakely, Cana Williams, Paige Jones, Alaw Pyrs, Lily Terry, Catrin Stewart, Bryonie King (capt).
Replacements: Molly Reardon, Dali Hopkins, Jenni Scoble, Erin Jones, Lottie Buffery-Latham, Katie Bevans, Freya Bell, Rhodd Parry.
Wolfhounds: Amy Larn; Vicky Elmes Kinlan, Eve Higgins, Leah Tarpey, Katie Corrigan; Dannah O'Brien, Jade Gaffney; Niamh O'Dowd, Maebh Clenaghan, Christy Haney, Fiona Tuite, Cliodhna Ni Chonchobhair, Claire Boles (capt), Molly Boyne, Brittany Hogan.
Replacements: Kelly Burke, Tricia Doyle, Sophie Mcallister, Alma Atagmen, Poppy Garvey, Katie Whelan, Lauren Farrell McCabe, Anna Doyle.
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Glasgow Warriors v Brython Thunder
Venue: Scotstoun Stadium Date: Saturday 1 March Kick-off: 15:45 GMT
Coverage: Watch live on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport online.
Thunder have made eight changes as they look to bounce back from a 16-try defeat to Clovers last time out.
Seasoned Wales international Gwen Crabb has been drafted in from Gloucester-Hartpury to bolster the forwards, with captain Natalia John still sidelined by injury.
Jess Rogers returns to lead the side at number eight and is joined in the back row by Danai Mugabe and Lucy Issac.
Props Stella Orin and Cadi-Lois Davies pack down with Chloe Gant in the front row.
Niamh Terry is named at fly-half and partners scrum half Seren Singleton at half-back, while Hannah Bluck and Gabby Healan are preferred as centre.
Hannah Lane starts at full-back with Ellie Tromans moving to the wing alongside Eleanor Hing.
"We are a young and exciting squad who have showed real resilience and character at this level against sides full of international rugby players," said Thunder head coach Ashley Beck.
"Glasgow are tough opposition on their home patch, but we are ready for the challenge and looking forward to putting in a performance to represent the jersey."
Glasgow Warriors: Poppy Mellanby; Abi Evans, Nicole Flynn, Briar McNamara, Orla Proctor; Ceitidh Ainsworth, Mairi McDonald (capt); Poppy Fletcher, Megan Hyland, Eilidh Fleming, Aisha Zameer, Kate Yeomans, Freya Walker, Eilidh Macgilvray, Emily Courbrough.
Replacements: Aicha Sutcliffe, Ailie Tucker, Alex Ward, Rowann Sinclair, Sophie Price, Rianna Darroch, Millie Warren, Roma Fraser.
Brython Thunder: Hannah Lane; Ellie Tromans, Hannah Bluck, Gabby Healan, Eleanor Hing; Niamh Terry, Seren Singleton; Stella Orrin, Chloe Gant, Cadi-Lois Davies, Robyn Davies, Gwen Crabb, Danai Mugabe, Lucy Isaac, Jess Rogers (capt).
Replacements: Rosie Carr, Lowri Williams, Katie Carr, Catrin Jones, Anna Stowell, Bethan Adkins, Hanna Marshall, Ffion Davies.