Two matches complete the fifth round of the Celtic Challenge.
Wolfhounds v Glasgow Warriors
For the first half The Hounds looked like the unbeaten champions they are.
A half-time score of 40-0 (six tries) confirmed Neil Alcorn’s decision to give some new players their chance. Abby Moyles at 10 was one who most certainly profited. She got her back-line moving freely and her kicking from foot and tee was exemplary.
Every time Warriors made an error they paid for it. It took them 20 seconds to concede their first penalty.
They made threatening moves; but all too often these broke down at the collision. Line-outs were faulty on both sides, but Fiona Tuite was in outstanding form. She made three separate breaks to put her side in command; her fourth effort brought her a try.
She blotted her copy-book just once, earning a card for an unnecessary off-side.
Then when you have a player like Eve Higgins lurking out wide, you can ease off and watch her go.
Second half
Did I say ease off?
Alcorn won’t be happy with what he saw here. Glasgow shook off their self-inflicted errors and put on a show.
That didn’t look likely as the whistle blew. In no time Caoimhe Molloy was bundling her way over the line (47-0). But after Vicky Elmes-Kinlan had brought up the half century, Warriors sharpened their swords.
Holland Bogan, who was outstanding all through, outshone herself now. She was engaged in four separate drives before completing a first Scottish try herself. Just like Tuite!
Warriors, thoroughly- refreshed, now set Wolfhounds on their heels.
Rianna Darroch sniped for a second helping, and a third try on 68 minutes gave the visitors the chance of snatching a rare away point against the champs.
What a difference confidence can make.
The Hounds made them wait till only five minutes were left. But Warriors flung the ball around with great abandon. It finally found its way to Sky Phimister, one of Scotland’s coming stars, and she twinkle-toed her way over the line.
Result: Wolfhounds 52 Glasgow Warriors 26
Player of the Match: Fiona Tuite
Afterthoughts
Once again we had a perplexing colour clash: darkish blue/black v blue and white quarters. I suspect Linda Djougang got away with a ruck offside thanks to that lack of contrast.
It was encouraging to see the one runaway team in the tournament being given a hard time. It’s a sign of the improving standards being reached in the CC.
Clovers v Brython Thunder
The first match in Cork set the second teams of Ireland and Wales against each other. For Brython it was yet another chance to mend fences, the one team to be left behind in a 6-horse race.
Their strong points early on were a dominant pack and their ability to get the ball wide, especially to Seren Singleton on the left, who proved a handful.
But there is an overall lack of game awareness that prevents them exploiting these advantages, especially up front.
How rarely they made use of the advancing scrum. All too often a forward would lose her footing, and possession with it. Branwen Metcalfe at 8 rarely managed to exploit front-foot ball.
Out behind there remain grave weaknesses. The centres hardly ever crossed the gain-line, so moves finished behind where they started. Hannah Bluck made one or two powerful thrusts, but the yellow card she incurred has probably lost her the chance of a place in Sean Lynn’s side.
When Clovers tapped a penalty, Bluck’s reaction was to haul Emily Lane down after she’d advanced a mere three or four steps. Try that at Ashton Gate,⁴ and the crowd might offer their opinion.
Siobhan McCarthy opened the scoring for Clovers after going through two incomplete tackles. Thunder responded inside the half- hour, after good work by Lucy Isaac gave Jess Rogers her chance.
A neat offload by Caitriona Finn to Annakate Cournane restored the hosts’ lead, but Brython came again. Rhian Bowden was on the end of a well controlled catch and drive.
Half-time: 12-12
For once, Brython were in with a shout. Could they continue the good work and earn a first victory?
Sadly, no.
The crowd was subjected to another 40-minute performance by one side. At least it was the opposition.
Once more it looked like a lack of basic rugby nous that caused Brython’s failure to add more points.
Even when the referee had to warn the Clovers’ front row for collapsing a scrum, the Welsh couldn’t extract a meaningful advantage.
Emily Lane profited from two big drives by McCarthy to send Emily Foley over. Niamh Murphy found her way outside the last defender for a third try.
Amy Williams suffered bad luck when a delightful chip and collect ended when she tripped and conceded a penalty. It lessened her side’s chances of a comeback. On 70 minutes it was 22-12.
With six minutes on the clock Clovers made sure of the game and the invaluable bonus point as Finn offered Murphy a neat reverse pass.
Result: Clovers 29 Brython Thunder 12
Player of the Match: Caitriona Finn
Simplified Table after 5 rounds
1. Wolfhounds 24 points
2. Gwalia Lightning 21
3. Clovers 18
4. Glasgow Warriors 8
5. Edinburgh Rugby 5
6. Brython 1
As we creep closer to the semis, it’s that fourth place that can be disputed. Edinburgh would de delighted to overtake their western neighbours; three points are no sort of margin, but they’ll have to sharpen up a lot to move and stay ahead.
But when it comes to the final duels, who on earth can beat the champions? They didn’t even bother using their first-choice 9 and 10 today.
