Latest news with #Gwalia
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nine-try Clovers beat Lightning in Celtic finale
Celtic Challenge Gwalia Lightning (12) 33 Tries: Hopkins, Lewis, Webster, Pyrs, Bell Cons: Hughes 4 Clovers (34) 55 Tries: 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."
BBC News
08-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
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 finished third in the table after conceding six first-half tries and three more after the break, five of which were 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 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 impressive response brought touchdowns for Kelsie Webster and Alaw Pyrs to earn a bonus 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 Freya Bell scored the final try, but the result had long been 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."
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lightning's Celtic Challenge title hopes ended by Wolfhounds loss
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. Jones retains Wales captaincy under new coach Lynn Ex-Wales coach Cunningham takes charge of Fiji Women 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.
BBC News
26-01-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
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 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 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 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 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 then held off two would-be tacklers to score her second and Edinburgh's fifth try, but there was to be one final 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 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.
