Nine-try Clovers beat Lightning in Celtic finale
Celtic ChallengeGwalia Lightning (12) 33Tries: Hopkins, Lewis, Webster, Pyrs, Bell Cons: Hughes 4Clovers (34) 55Tries: Barrett, Nic a Bháird 2, Oviawe, Reilly, Buttimer, McGann, Breen, Adams Cons: Fowley 3, Finn 2
Irish side Clovers ensured a second-place Celtic Challenge finish as they won comfortably with a nine-tries-to-five win against hosts Gwalia Lightning at Ystrad Mynach.Lightning finished third in the table after conceding six first-half tries and three more after the break, five of which were converted.After Sophie Barrett's opener, Gwennan Hopkins hit back. Clovers went back in front through Deirbhile Nic a Bháird, with Faith Oviawe adding their third. Scrum-half Aoibheann Reilly went over for the visitors' bonus-point try and Lightning responded with wing Caitlin Lewis' interception score.But Clovers underlined their first-half superiority with Nic a Bháird's second score before Beth Buttimer crossed for their sixth, giving them a 34-12 lead at the break.Gwalia's impressive response brought touchdowns for Kelsie Webster and Alaw Pyrs to earn a bonus point.But Clovers' Anna McGann, who scored a hat-trick against Edinburgh last week, was on the hunt for another Irish try and got it, with Jemima Adams and captain Enya Breen also going over.Gwalia's Freya Bell scored the final try, but the result had long been decided.Elsewhere, defending champions Wolfhounds beat Edinburgh 102-0 to successfully retain the title.
Gwalia captain Bryonie King told BBC Sport Wales:"The Irish teams have a lot of internationals playing for them, and we know what they can do and how much damage they can cause. "I did think we showed a point out there as Gwalia, we stayed in the fight until the very end and we came away with a try to finish the game off, so we are proud of that."We aimed for that top spot, second spot, but overall we are happy with where we are, it is a massive point proven on how talented Welsh rugby is. I'm so proud to be a part of Gwalia."Gwennan Hopkins added:"Both Irish sides are professional and they are contracted, so that physicality is massive. It is definitely a work-on for us. It's something we can key point and breakthrough for next season."We are all really young, and we have been playing on the pathway together and now some of us are getting to the national squad. It's building those relationships on and off the field, and it has been great we are as close off the field, as we are on the field. "That's really special because by the end of the season you are playing for the girls not just for Gwalia."
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