Gwalia Lightning ended their campaign with a 55-33 defeat to one of the Irish powerhouse, Clovers, in Round 10 of the Celtic Challenge at Ystrad Mynach on Saturday afternoon.
The Lightning did cross for some impressive tries with Welsh Test stars Gwenna Hopkins, Caitlin Lewis, Kelsie Webster, lock Alaw Pyrs and impressive young centres Kelsie Webster and Freya Bell crossing for tries. Gwalia finished third in the table, having won six games, behind the two Irish teams.
The Welsh side came into the final round of the Celtic Challenge looking to finish the campaign on a high after an impressive season, having challenged the Irish dominance in the competition.
Clovers, a side full of Irish internationals, needed a win to have any change of challenging for the title with fellow Irish outfit Wolfhounds and they did that. But their Irish rivals were crowned Celtic Challenge champions for a second successive season with their win over Edinburgh.
The visitors took advantage of a strong wind at their backs in the first half and built a 36-12 lead. The Irish side opened the scorning after a error-strewn opening with prop Sophie Barrett crashing over from short-range. Fly-half Nicole Fowley added the conversion to make it 7-0 after three minutes.
Gwalia replied with a real period of pressure of their own with a slick lineout which saw Number 8 Hopkins involved twice and cross for the home side’s try. Hughes added the extras to level the score.
Clovers hit back straight away with a driving lineout of their own Number 8 Deirbhile Nic A Bhaird to reclaim the lead.
Flanker Faith Oviawe crossed for the visitors third try, converted by Fowley to make it 19-7 midway through the first half.
Scrum half Aoibhearn Reilly stretched Clovers lead with a fourth try and claimed the bonus-point before wing Caitlin narrowed the lead with an interception try running in from 30 metres to make it 24-12.
Clovers Number 8 Nic A Bhaird crossed for her second try and Beth Buttimer crossed for a try to make it 36-12 at half-time.
After the break, a fired up home side scored straight away with centre Kelsie Webster crossed for her side’s third try. Hughes added the conversion.
Lock Alaw Pyrs then scored Gwalia’s fourth try, converted by Hughes, made it 36-26 after 50 minutes of the contest before centre Anna McGann, replacement Jemima Adams Verling, captain Enya Breen Gwalia’s replacement centre Freya Bell try crossed for a try just before the whistle.
