A game to provide a welcome change in fortune.
Parc Y Scarlets, Llanelli
Teams:
Brython Thunder
15. Ellie Tromans, 14. Ffion Davies, 13. Savannah Picton-Powell, 12. Meg Webb, 11. Eleanor Hing, 10. Hanna Marshall, 9. Seren Singleton, 1. Stella Orrin, 2. Chloe Gant, 3. Cadi Lois Davies, 4. Robyn Davies, 5. Natalia John (captain), 6. Finley Jones, 7. Lucy Isaac, 8. Katie Carr
16. Lowri Williams, 17. Elan Jones, 18. Megan Lewis, 19. Danai Mugabe, 20. Anna Stowell, 21. Niamh Terry, 22. Hannah Bluck, 23. Hannah Lane
Edinburgh Rugby
15. Nicole Marlow, 14. Lucia Scott, 13. Lisa Brown, 12. Lucy MacRae, 11. Hannah Walker, 10. Hannah Ramsay, 9. Rhea Clarke, 1. Talei Tawake,2. Karis Craig, 3. Hannah McMahon, 4. Adelle Ferrie, 5. Natasha Logan, 6. Lauryn Walter, 7. Alex Stewart (captain), 8. Merryn Gunderson
16. Millie Capaldi, 17. Alison Wilson, 18. Chloe Brown19. Samaanther Taganekurukuru, 20. Charlotte Fosbeary, 21. Emily Love, 22. Sarah Denholm, 23. Ami Conchie
In the second minute the Scottish pack drove the ball all the way to the 5m-line. Brython did well to keep the attackers at bay. But good handling by the backs saw Hannah Walker score her ninth try of the series in the left corner. 0-5
Brython responded. An attacking line-out, an accurate throw from Chloe Grant, catch by Natalia John and a drive. But then they lost cohesion and conceded a penalty. John charged a clearance kick down, but the ball didn’t bounce Brython’s way.
They came again. The forwards had a go at the line, then Seren Singleton, their highly promising 9, wriggled her way over. 7-5
The game developed into a high-scoring drama. Hannah McMahon drove a long way to finish under the posts. 7-12
It was good seeing Brython playing with such confidence. The forwards were taking the release pass at pace, which makes all the difference, and Singleton was always looking for an opening.
Robyn Davies scored naxt, again dead centre, to help put the Welsh ahead. (14-12) The game really opened up; Hanna Marshall looked for a searching cross-kick, but the bounce was unfavourable. Lucia Scott started a counter down the right edge from her own 22. As she slowed to look for a pass, the defence was deceived; she accelerated again to run all the way to the line. (14-19)
A quite outstanding try to complete the half. Savannah Picton-Powell made a huge break through midfield; as she approached a defender, she found Singleton supporting on her inside shoulder; she raced in to the posts. A coach’s dream score.
Half-time 21-19
On resumption an errant Brython hand interfered with Rhea Clarke, the Edinburgh 9, trying to retrieve the ball. The game was now so close that the answer was three points through the sticks. (21-22)
As often happens in open games like this, the scoreboard stayed stuck now for a while; neither team could retain possession. Into the last quarter and Brython were driving at the line again. The decisive strike came from hooker Grant, who dived over prostrate bodies to extend the home lead and ensure at least a point.
Edinburgh countered with a fine extended move. When the ball finally spread right, Ami Conchie had enough room to squeeze in. That was their vital bonus-point secured. (26-27) They grew stronger. A massive pack drive had Brython reeling. Merryn Gunderson picked up the scraps and drove over. (26-32)
Then, glory be! A missed tackle in the Edinburgh 22 and Hannah Bluck was in, once again dead centre. 31-32! With Marshall off the field, it fell to Ellie Tromans to take the kick. She kept her nerve. (33-32)
Two minutes left, and a drop-out that didn’t reach 10 metres cost dear. From the scrum Brython switched back left, and Bluck repeated her trick; another missed tackle and Brython had their first win of the season. Congratulations to them and their coach for preparing them so well.
A thoroughly entertaining game.
Result: Brython Thunder 38 Edinburgh Rugby 32
Player of the Match: Lucy Isaac
Afterthoughts
This result did the CC a heap of good. The one winless side at last showed real improvement to confirm the value of the competition. And better news for Sean Lynn.
The colour question: red played orange at Scarlets. Is that within World Rugby’s guidelines to help people with problems of colour recognition?
