Dragons Women duo Amy Williams and Molly Reardon featured as the WRU Development XV went down 27-26 to the Combined Provinces XV at Cardiff Arms Park in their first home game of the inaugural Celtic Challenge.
A strong start from the visitors saw them take the lead through Ella Roberts before the hosts hit back with Teleri Wyn Davies powering her way. Lauren Smyth converted to put Wales ahead.
Roberts grabbed a second try for the Combined Provinces before a third score, from Emma Hooban, sent them clear. Just before half time, Ailsa Hughes to put the visitors 22-7 ahead at the break.
Coming out for the second half, the Welsh side responded with Kat Evans scoring and Catherine Richards slotting the conversion to narrow the score to 14-22.
The Welsh side scored again as huge power in the drive made room for Sioned Harries. No conversion kept the Combined Provinces just ahead 19-22.
Back with the ball in hand, the Combined Provinces capitalised on penalties to put Aoife Dalton in for the try to keep the scoreboard in their favour.
The Welsh side stayed in the fight with a lovely break in midfield from Niamh Terry allowing Jenna De Vera race over the whitewash. Richards converted to make it a one-point game, but the visitors held on.
WRU Development XV v Combined Provinces XV: 15 Niamh Terry (Worcester Warriors) 14 Caitlin Lewis (Gloucester-Hartpury/ Cardiff Met) 13 Catherine Richards (Cardiff Met) 12 Jenna De Vera (Scarlets U18s/ Burry Port) 11 Lowri Norkett (Worcester Warriors) 10 Lauren Smyth (Bristol Bears) 9 Megan Davies (Bristol Bears) 1 Mica Evans (Saracens) 2 Kat Evans (Saracens) 3 Abbey Constable (Cheltenham Tigers/ Gloucester Hartpury) 4 Teleri Wyn Davies (Caernarfon) 5 Charlie Mundy (Pontyclun Falcons) 6 Abbie Fleming (capt, Exeter Chiefs) 7 Mel Gnojek (Seven Sisters) 8 Sioned Harries (Worcester Warriors)
Replacements: 16 Hannah Stephens (Bath Ladies) 17 Dali Hopkins (Ospreys U18s/ Greyhounds) 18 Jenni Scoble (Worcester Warriors) 19 Katie Hopkins (Pontyclun Falcons) 20 Gwennan Hopkins (Hartpury College) 21 Molly Reardon (Dragons U18s/ Cardiff Met) 22 Beth Jones (Cheltenham Tigers / Gloucester Hartpury) 23 Amy Williams (Dragons U18s/ Coleg Gwent)
