Three matches were completed:
Brython Thunder v Wolfhounds (Parc Y Scarlets);
Clovers v Edinburgh Rugby (Virgin Media Park, Cork)
Gwalia Lightning v Glasgow Warriors (Ystrad Mynach)
Brython Thunder v Wolfhounds
The difference in quality was evident from the start. The Wolfhounds, representing Leinster and Ulster (but essentially the Dublin conurbation plus reinforcements) are likely to walk off with the trophy for the foreseeable future.
Brython failed to clear their lines from Dannah O’Brien’s kick-off. It took the hounds two minutes to exploit a strong scrum with Maebh Clenaghan driving over. A wonderful conversion by DO’B.
Why did Brython then opt for a scrum at a penalty? They did win the ball under pressure, but the backs were soon swamped and possession lost.
Warriors’ pack had a second success with efficient pick-and-goes; try Molly Boyne (0-12) Then the backs proved they aren’t just show ponies by spreading the ball wide left for their first contribution from Eve Higgins.
A second demanding conversion by DO’B. (0-19). At this stage it was noticeable how much slower the home pack was assembling at breakdowns.
As the half progressed, Brython showed glimpses of good form, but too often the backs needed someone to run a counter-line to correct their lateral movement.
A smart line-out throw to the front led to more drives by the visitors; Brython did well to hold them out, but once the ball spread to Higgins, she had the strength to run a diagonal to the line. That was the bonus assured already. (0-26)
Right on 40 minutes Aoife Dalton stepped outside her marker and swept past flailing hands for a fifth try.
Half-time: 0-31
Unlike Brython’s unsuccessful kick-off, Wolfhounds sent the ball straight beyond the opposing 10-metre line.
Thrilling runs down the left brought a sixth try, though it looked as though the touch-line came too soon foe a legal score.
The Irish worked the ball back cleverly to the short side for Katie Heffernan to sweep over. Claire Boles and Ella Roberts added the final scores to an uneven counter.
Result 0-48
Teams
Brython
15. Hannah Lane, 14. Ellie Tromans, 13. Hannah Bluck, 12. Meg Webb, 11. Eleanor Hing, 10. Niamh Terry, 9. Seren Singleton; 1. Lowri Williams, 2. Poppy Hughes, 3. Katie Carr, 4. Robyn Davies, 5. Natalia John (captain), 6. Kira Philpott, 7. Lucy Isaac, 8. Jess Rogers
16. Chloe Gant, 17. Meg Lewis, 18. Cadi Lois Davies, 19. Anna Davies, 20. Anna Stowell, 21. Hanna Marshall, 22. Savannah Picton-Powell, 23. Ffion Davies
Wolfhounds
15. Stacey Flood, 14. Ella Roberts, 13. Aoife Dalton, 12. Eve Higgins, 11. Amy Larn, 10. Dannah O’Brien, 9. Jade Gaffney, 1. Niamh O’Dowd, 2. Maebh Clenaghan, 3. Linda Djougang, 4. Alma Atagamen, 5. Cliodhna Ni Chonchobhair, 6. Molly Boyne, 7. Claire Boles (captain), 8. Erin King
16. Kelly Burke, 17. Tricia Doyle, 18. Christy Haney, 19. Ciara Short, 20. Caoimhe Molloy, 21. Rachael McIlroy, 22. Leah Tarpey, 23. Katie Heffernan
Clovers v Edinburgh Rugby
Clovers underlined Irish dominance of the Challenge by seeing off much the better of the two Scottish sides in a cold Cork.
The Scots came back strongly in the last ten minutes; their second try was a beauty. They moved the ball around, then spread it right; Sarah Denholm sold an enticing dummy that put Cieron Bell away for a compensating try, but not enough to gain them a point. Their first defeat of the camapign.
Result 40-19
Gwalia Lightning v Glasgow Warriors
This third match provided the greatest drama of all. Gwalia needed a last-minute try by captain Bryonie King to take claim victory 31-26
Taking the competition as a whole, Gwalia’s comeback from a 7-19 deficit at half-time was a pity. Warriors have long been the backmarkers; an away win would have been a huge boost for them, and balanced up the six-pronged league nicely.
As it was, Gwalia deserve huge credit for the win, their third of the tournament.
Result 31-26
Table after 4 rounds:
W L Pts
Wolfhounds 3 1 15
Clovers 3 1 15
Gwalia Lightning 3 1 14
Edinburgh Rugby 2 1 10
Brython Thunder 0 4 2
Glasgow Warriors 0 4 2
Note: the two Scottish franchises have played only three matches.
Once more the two Irish sides are proving by far the strongest. Given that both Ireland and Scotland are in buoyant mood at present, it’s strange to find Glasgow Warriors struggling to this degree; they do look a step or two behind their eastern neighbours. It’s a strange paradox, since their male equivalents stand second in the 16-strong URC tournament; Edinburgh are eighth.
But so long as Bryan Easson has a full complement of players available, Scotland should do well again in the Six Nations. Both they and the Irish won two and lost three in 2024. How the pair thrive this year will be one of the fascinations of the series. They don’t meet till the last round in Edinburgh.
Sadly Wales remain in limbo. It’s good to see Gwalia with three wins to their credit already, but the Welsh squad still awaits the appointment of a new head coach. Many of them are performing well in the PWR, but that has not in the past been a guarantee of success in the 6N.
Please note:
The Round 5 match between Wolfhounds and Brython Thunder has had to be re-arranged for 18 Januery owing to travel complications.
