Thunder strike late to edge Edinburgh in 11-try thriller
Celtic Challenge
Brython Thunder (21) 38
Tries: Singleton 2, Bluck 2, Gant, Davies Cons: Marshall 3, Tromans
Edinburgh Rugby (19) 32
Tries: Walker, Mchahon, Gunderson, Conchie, Scott Cons: Macrae 2 Pen: Macrae
Wales centre Hannah Bluck ran in two late tries as Brython Thunder edged Edinburgh in an 11-try thriller in the Celtic Challenge.
The visitors led 32-26 up until the 77th minute before Bluck's late intervention secured Thunder their first win of the campaign.
It lifts the Welsh side off the foot of the table, while Edinburgh leave Parc y Scarlets with what could prove to be two valuable bonus-points.
It took just three minutes for the try festival to begin, with Edinburgh wing Hannah Walker running in her ninth of the tournament.
Seren Singleton scored an opportunist try for Thunder, before Hannah McMahon shrugged off some weak tackling to put Edinburgh back in front.
Robyn Davies was not to be denied from close range as the lead changed hands once more, while Lucia Scott took advantage of a loose kick to race down her wing for Edinburgh.
A superb line break from Savannah Picton-Powell set up the try of the game, with Singleton in support to score her second of the afternoon. Hanna Marshall added the conversion to give Thunder a narrow 21-19 half-time lead.
Lucy Macrae slotted over a penalty for Edinburgh after the break, before Chloe Gant's close-range effort secured the try bonus-point for Thunder.
The visitors then ran in two tries from replacement Amy Conchie and Merryn Gunderson as they looked to have secured victory.
But Bluck came off the bench and twice carved up the defence to secure her side their first win.
Speaking to BBC Sport after the game, Bluck said: "Everyone digged deep in that game, we backed each other, we went out with all guns blazing."
"I think other games, we were very nervous and that took over us, whereas in this game we stuck to the process and what we have been doing in training and worked off that then."
Brython Thunder captain Natalia John said: "We've really worked hard as a squad over the last two weeks to come together and put out a performance.
"I asked the girls when we had five, 10 minutes to go, just give me heart, give me fight and they showed that in spades. I couldn't ask for much more as a captain."
Brython Thunder: Ellie Tromans; Ffion Davies, Savannah Picton-Powell, Meg Webb, Eleanor Hing; Hanna Marshall, Seren Singleton; Stella Orrin, Chloe Gant, Cadi Lois Davies, Robyn Davies, Natalia John (capt), Finley Jones, Lucy Isaac, Katie Carr
Replacements: Lowri Williams, Elan Jones, Megan Lewis, Danai Mugabe, Anna Stowell, Niamh Terry, Hannah Bluck, Hannah Lane.
Edinburgh Rugby: Nicole Marlow; Lucia Scott, Lisa Brown, Lucy MacRae, Hannah Walker; Hannah Ramsay, Rhea Clarke; Talei Tawake, Karis Craig, Hannah McMahon, Adelle Ferrie, Natasha Logan, Lauryn Walter, Alex Stewart (capt), Merryn Gunderson
Replacements: Millie Capaldi, Alison Wilson, Chloe Brown, Samaanther Taganekurukuru, Charlotte Fosbeary, Emily Love, Sarah Denholm, Ami Conchie
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