Wolfhounds edge Gwalia Lightning in tight Celtic Challenge contest
Celtic Challenge CupWolfhounds 21Tries: Whelan, Clenaghan, Corrigan Cons: O'Brien 3Gwalia Lightning 15Tries: Hesketh; Davies Pen: Hughes Cons: Hughes
Wolfhounds moved four points clear at the top of the Celtic Challenge table after surviving a late scare to beat Gwalia Lightning.After a scoreless first 20 minutes, the game burst into life as Wolfhounds scrum half Katie Whelan stretched the ball over the try-line having found a gap on the edge of the ruck. Gwalia hit back immediately, first through a Carys Hughes penalty, and then Jenny Hesketh's try in the corner.But Wolfhounds were ahead once more before half-time, this time the forwards enjoying success before Meabh Clenaghan powered her way over.Wolfhounds moved 21-8 ahead when replacement Katie Corrigan scored the Irish side's third try of the game on 52 minutes.Lightning huffed and puffed to find a way back into the game, and set up a grandstand finish when loosehead prop Maisie Davies scored their second try of the game with 10 minutes remaining.The Welsh side kicked to the corner with a minute left, trailing by six points, and got to within a metre of the Wolfhounds try-line as the clock went red.But as Alaw Pyrs crossed for what could have been a match-winning try, she was excellently held up by Wolfhounds, who in doing so secured the win.Lightning do pick up a losing bonus point to go four points behind Wolfhounds in second place, as they lose for just the second time in this year's competition.
Line-ups
Wolfhounds: Ella Roberts; Vicky Elmes Kinlan, Aoife Dalton, Eve Higgins, Amy Larn; Dannah O'Brien, Katie Whelan; Niamh O'Dowd, Maebh Clenaghan, Christy Haney, Fiona Tuite, Cliodhna Ni Chonchobhair, Claire Boles (capt), Erin King, Brittany HoganReplacements: Kelly Burke, Tricia Doyle, Linda Djougang, Alma Atagamen, Molly Boyne, Erin McConnell, Katie Corrigan, Anna DoyleGwalia Lightning: Jenny Hesketh; Courtney Greenway, Kelsey Webster, Anwen Owen, Caitlin Lewis; Carys Hughes, Sian Jones; Maisie Davies, Molly Wakely, Danyelle Dinapoli, Lily Terry, Alaw Pyrs, Bryonie King (capt), Catrin Stewart, Gwennan HopkinsReplacements: Molly Mae Crabb, Dali Hopkins, Cana Williams, Paige Jones, Lottie Buffery-Latham, Katie Bevans, Freya Bell, Carys Williams-Morris
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