Gwalia Lightning still have to secure a play-off place after a 15-12 defeat to Glasgow Warriors in Round 8 of the Celtic Challenge at Ystrad Mynach on Saturday afternoon.
The Welsh side came into the game third in the table and on brink of qualification for the semi-finals but have to qualify for the semi-finals.
The clash was played in torrential conditions but the Warriors adapted to them better than their hosts but Lightning did manage a losing bonus-point. They face reigning champions Wolfhounds and Welsh rivals Brython Thunder in their final regular season games.
The Lightning have been a top half of the table team for most of the Celtic Challenge campaign but have yet to secure a semi-final spot.
Prop Chloe Thomas-Bradley and lock Chiara Pearce crossed for tries at the start and the end of the game but it wasn’t enough to secure a win.
The Lightning were forced to make a late change before kick off with Thomas-Bradley a late replacement for Evie Hill at prop.
The home side opened the scoring after a superb break by lock Alaw Pyrs and Thomas Bradley crashed over from short-range. Fly half Carys Hughes added the conversion to make it 7-0 after seven minutes.
The Warriors attacked from the re-start but the home side’s defence held firm and held the ball up over the line.
Both sides kept the ball in hand as the heavens opened midway through the first half and Warriors came close to a try but last ditch defence kept them at bay.
Flanker Anwen Owen was yellow carded for a professional foul and Glasgow’s try came just before half-time when hooker Aicha Sutcliffe barged her way over from short-range. Full back Mullie Warren landed the conversion for the Scots to make it 7-7 and all square at half-time.
After the break, Glasgow took the lead straight after half-time when wing Emily Norval crashed in over at the corner to make it 12-7.
Replacement Gwennan Hopkins made an impact when she came off the bench and the home side created enough opportunities but could not finish them.
Tempers did boil over with a bout of fisticuffs when prop Cerys Cuming and lock Holland Bogan were yellow carded and both sides were down to 14 players.
Full back Warren added a late penalty to stretch Glasgow’s lead to 15-7 and lock Pearce set up a nervous finale with her try but the Warriors held out for the victory.
Gwalia Lightning host the reigning champions Wolfhounds in the Round 9 fixture at Ystrad Mynach on Saturday, February 28 (kick-off 1pm).
