Gwalia Lightning secured an impressive 31-17 win over Edinburgh in the Round 4 clash in the Celtic Challenge at Ystrad Mynach.
The home side were roared on by a packed Grandstand at Ystrad Mynach and the supporters watched a highly entertaining Celtic Challenge clash.
This bonus-point victory by Gwalia was their third win in the Celtic Challenge and keeps the pressure on reigning champions, Wolfhounds.
Wings Courtney Greenway and Caitlin Lewis, lock Alaw Pyrs, hooker Molly Reardon and replacement scrum half Lily Hawkins crossed for Gwalia’s five tries.
Hooker Reardon was the outstanding player on the pitch, while wing Greenway kept her impressive try-scoring rate and fly half Carys Hughes added to her points tally with the boot.
The home side came into this game on the back of an impressive win away from home against Glasgow Warriors and being second in the table.
Gwalia were on the front foot from the off and Wales hooker Molly Reardon was held up over the line before the visitors to the lead after a period pressure with a try by Cieron Bell.
The Lightning replied straight away when try-scoring machine Greenway crossed in the corner for her fifth try in the Celtic Challenge to make it 5-5.
Wing Caitlin Lewis then crossed for a second try in the corner for Gwalia after a period of pressure to extend the home sides lead.
The visitors replied with a try by hooker Aila Ronald to level the score and centre Lucy MacRae landed the extras to make it 12-10.
Flanker Anwen Lewis the spilt the Edinburgh defence on the halfway and was hauled down just short of the visitors line. Gwalia would not be denied and lock Pyrs crashed over under the posts after a tap penalty retake the lead.
Fly half Carys Hughes landed the conversion to make it 17-12 to the Welsh side after see-saw first half with both sides enjoying their share of ball and territory. A
fter the break, the visitors went down a player due to a yellow card and hooker Reardon crashed over for the home side’s fourth try. Hughes landed the conversion to make it 24-12 after 50 minutes to Gwalia Lightning.
Fly half Hannah Ramsey took advantage of a weak Gwalia defence to haul the Scots back into the contest with a third try.
But the home side sealed the win with a try by replacement scrum half Hawkins and Jenny Hesketh landed the conversion to make it 31-17.
Gwalia’s travel to face Edinburgh in the return fixture at the Hive on Saturday, January 24th (kick-off 1pm).
