Dragons RFC prop Chloe Thomas-Bradley crossed for a try as Brython Thunder set up a mouth-watering Welsh derby with an emphatic 24-17 win over Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium.
Thunder were well worth their win with this Celtic Challenge minor play-off before they play the Gwalia Lightning in an all-Welsh play-off clash at Parc y Scarlets on Sunday, March 3.
Lightning play Glasgow in Belfast next weekend but all eyes in Wales will be on the Welsh derby on home soil and in the final game, in two weeks, in the new expanded Celtic Challenge tournament.
Thomas-Bradley was joined by Dragons team-mates Savanah Picton-Powell, Amy Williams and Katie Bevans in the match day squad.
Thunder had a forward platform, an aggressive defence and played with a real intensity and width that their hosts could not deal with.
The Warriors took an early lead with a penalty but a break by centre Meg Webb set up great field position for the visitors before experienced Welsh international Sioned Harries touched down a loose ball over the line and caught Glasgow napping.
The visitors extended their lead when prop Thomas-Bradley crossed for a second try from short-range after a sustained period of pressure.
Thunder survived an onslaught by Glasgow just before the break and lost centre Webb to a yellow card, but the visitors defence held firm to go in 12-3 at half-time.
After the break, Glasgow crossed for a first try when centre Claudia McLaren latched onto a loose ball to score, and full back Lucy Macrae converted to make it 12-10 with Thunder down a player.
The Welsh side replied with Welsh international lock Wakley crashing over from short-range, with Wilkinson adding the extras to make it 19-10.
Wales centre Webb then split the defence with a superb solo-break to cross for her side’s fourth and bonus point to stretch Thunder’s lead midway through the second half.
Wing Roma Fraser crossed for a try, which Macrae converted, to claw Glasgow back into the contest, but it was too little, too late and Thunder were well worth the win.
