Celtic Challenge: Brython Thunder 0 Wolfhounds 48
The Wolfhounds’ first trip to Wales ended in a comprehensive 48-0 bonus point win over Bryton Thunder, a result which moves them temporarily to the top of the Celtic Challenge table.
Stacey Flood delivered a player-of-the-match performance in Llanelli, impressing at full-back and then at outhalf during the closing stages, as the defending champions picked up their third bonus point victory in four rounds.
Linda Djougang and Flood both stood out as Neill Alcorn’s side swept into a 31-0 half-time lead. The tries were shared out by Maebh Clenaghan, Molly Boyne, Amy Larn, Eve Higgins, and Aoife Dalton.
The Wolfhounds coaches would have been most pleased with the defensive shutout as Brython Thunder, who had tested Edinburgh last week, were unable to take the bare look off the scoreboard.
The returning Katie Heffernan, captain Claire Boles, and Ella Roberts also crossed the whitewash as Alcorn’s charges scored eight tries for the second week running. Their rearranged home match against Brython takes place at the UCD Bowl next Saturday (kick-off 1.30pm).
Clovers 40 Edinburgh Rugby 19
The Clovers ended Edinburgh’s winning start to the Celtic Challenge, as three tries in each half propelled them to an impressive 40-19 bonus point victory at Virgin Media Park.
With Deirbhile Nic a Bháird’s all-action display earning her an opportunist try and the player-of-the-match award, the Clovers’ maximum haul – their third in as many weeks – sees them join the Wolfhounds on 15 points at the top of the table.
Denis Fogarty’s side were good value for a 21-5 half-time lead, as two excellent individual finishes from Amee-Leigh Costigan and Nic a Bháird sandwiched a Beth Buttimer maul score.
Edinburgh, the competition’s early pacesetters, struck through Hannah Walker in the seventh minute, but Clovers captain Enya Breen, Jemima Adams Verling, and replacement Chisom Ugwueru all crossed to put the game beyond their reach.
The Scottish capital outfit rallied late on with converted efforts from Lauryn Walter and Cieron Bell, slightly taking the shine off the hosts’ defensive performance as they get set for a rest week ahead of their trip to Glasgow on Saturday, January 25th.
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