Unlike the earlier game in Edinburgh there was a damp start here at Scotstoun, so Thunder kept the ball close, working methodically.

That worked well till the first time Coreen Grant touched the ball. She ran right through into the Welsh 22 and gained a penalty. Lucy MacRae celebrated her first successful kick at this level. 3-0

Brython were all over Glasgow at a set-scrum, and Mollie Wilkinson made a mazy run to the line. When the ball went loose, Sioned Harries was the first to pounce on it and score. 3-7

The continuing Glasgow weakness was in the backs; they simply could not string enough accurate passes together to ensure continuity and progress. By contrast, Brython’s pack knew their way around. They drove cleanly over to extend their lead (try Chloe Thomas-Bradley). 3-12

On the half-hour the Welsh backs showed how things should be done. The ball sped out to Eleanor Hing who made a dazzling run. Ceitidh Ainsworth did well to halt her.

The game now came to resemble the earlier contest; both sides throwing the ball around with abandon. But again shortcomings in the hosts’ attacking ploys showed up. An attempted cross-kick saw no team-mate anywhere near where it landed. Fortunately for them a Brython hand knocked the ball on.

Scottish fallibilities became even plainer when a strong attack finished with a kick-through that was touched down safely behind the line. Not the way to ensure a late come-back.

Half-time: 3-12

Warriors got back on track at once. A mislaid Brython pass was snapped up by Claudia McLaren
and she raced over under the posts. 10-12

Then it was Thunder’s turn. The pack took charge and drove over. 10-19 More good work by the pack was rewarded with fine interlinking between Wilkinson and Meg Webb, who sprinted wide into the corner. 10-24. That brought up a Welsh bonus point. Every little helps.

Warriors did well to respond. After several thrusts by the pack, Ainsworth hoisted a kick to the right; it bounced, but into the hands of Roma Fraser. 17-24

In the closing minutes, they had a short and a long-term target: to get a first bonus-point to rid themselves of that unwanted 0 against their name; and to score one, or better two tries to wrest a first victory from the opposition.

In the event, they could achieve neither. They came within that one score, but their fruitless campaign continues. Rather than aim any blame at the players, I must wonder whether the coaching staff have been at their most efficient in preparing their charges. Their reading of the game has seemed laboured all through the series. Basic team-skills, not least at the line-out and back-alignment, have been below par.

Result: 17-24

Teams

Glasgow Warriors:

1 Ailie Tucker, 2 Nikki Simpson, 3 Chloe Brown, 4 Sophie Anderson, 5 Ellie Williamson, 6 Holland Bogan, 7 Izzy Hannay, 8 Megan Hyland, 9 Rhea Clarke (captain), 10 Ceitidh Ainsworth, 11 Roma Fraser, 12 Giselle Chicot, 13 Claudia McLaren, 14 Coreen Grant,15 Lucy MacRae

Bench:
16 Kaylee Fraser, 17 Demi Swann, 18 Debbie Lee, 19 Eve Thomson, 20 Lucy Winter, 21 Alex Love, 22 Priya Crawford,23 Carla McDonald

Brython Thunder:

1 Chloe Thomas-Bradley, 2 Rosie Carr 3 Katie Carr 4 Natalia John 5 Shona Wakley 6 Finley Jones, 7 Alex Callender (captain) 8 Sioned Harries, 9 Seren Singleton, 10 Mollie Wilkinson, 11 Amy Williams, 12 Meg Webb, 13 Savannah Picton-Powell, 14 Eleanor Hing, 15 Lauren Smyth

Bench: 16 Amy Morgan, 17 Erica Kissinger, 18 Cadi-Lois Davies, 19 Charlie Mundy 20 Katie Bevans, 21 Niamh Terry, 22 Lowri Williams, 23 Eve Dutton

Afterthought

The question of player-choice in this series continues to fascinate. Here at Scotstoun half the Welsh pack had 190 caps between them. That is one extreme. By strong contrast Warriors’ selectors put their faith in the up-and-coming. Fine, but what is the effect of sustaining a series of losses, however narrow? Wouldn’t the odd ‘old’ head amongst them have been of benefit?

Equally, how much do the Welsh national selectors gain by seeing seasoned players turning out yet again in a setting like this?

Kingspan, Belfast

For the less inexperienced visitors this was invaluable game-time, one of the main reasons for the introduction of the Challenge. Their advantage lay in the back-row pairing of Alex Callender (skipper) and Sioned Harries, 110 caps between them.

But Wolfhounds took profit from the presence of Grace Moore, Brittany Hogan and Hannah O’Connor, up front, with Nikki Caughey steering the ship from the bridge.

The Hounds had the use of the wind in the first half. Caughey made good use of it with artfully placed kicks. Hounds produced a lovely move with well-timed off-loads; Thunder hung on well in defence, so Aoife Dalton had two bites at the cherry as she stretched for the line in a tackle. The Laws do not allow such generosity.

It’s unusual to see a cross-kick attempted by a side that’s in its own 22, but Brython did precisely that. They nearly paid for the indiscretion, but the referee decreed ‘knock-on’ as the quartered shirts drove to the line.

As the first 15 minutes passed, he had a long earnest chat with the two skippers (both flankers, as if that tells its own story) about how he wants to see the game played; so scrappy had it been.

Brittany Hogan, an Ulster girl herself, had the first try; the Hounds’ scrum came under some pressure, but it wheeled clockwise to give her space; she used it to make an unstoppable run to the line. Caughey converted. 7-0

One upshot was a potentially serious head injury to Niamh Terry. The medical services were prompt and careful. Mollie Wilkinson was the replacement.

Once play restarted Thunder at last put a worthy move together; the ball melted from hand to hand. They got their reward; In a rare visit to the Hounds’ 22, Chloe Thomas-Bradley was in possession as they drove over the line. 7-5

To the dismay of Thunder’s coaching staff, the hosts were allowed to counter at once, Sarah Delaney finishing a series of thrusts to the line. 12-5

Just on half-time Wolfhounds gained an advantage, but Caughey didn’t need it. She popped a cross-kick into the arms of Katie Corrigan, and she had the beating of the defence on the outside.

This double blow revealed the relative qualities of the two sides.

Half-time: 17-5

The bad news for Thunder continued. It looked like a knock-on as the Hounds developed another raid, but no, AR and referee agreed it wasn’t. Corrigan sailed over the line all alone. That was the vital bonus point. 22-5

When Thunder offended at a breakdown, Harries didn’t help the cause by questioning the ref’s decision, an all too frequent fault. Result: another 10 metres conceded.

It was all Hounds now. Thunder did well to win a turnover in deep defence, but a short relieving kick handed over possession all too easily. Corrigan was on the end of another move to complete her hat-trick on the far right. 29-5, conversion via the crossbar.

A second worrying stoppage on 55 minutes. This time it was Finley Jones, the doctor examining her state of health at ground level. The buggy was called into action a second time, but at least Jones was sitting up, propping on her arms.

On the restart Callender thought she was straight through under the posts, but no, ‘forward pass!’ This was another break initiated by Seren Singleton from the base of a breakdown.

Then – can you believe it? – the buggy was needed for a third time. This was the sort of hat-trick nobody wants to see. The medical outcomes are still to be verified, but the third, to Madi Johns the replacement prop was a lower-leg injury. Back on the field it meant yet another long delay as the night grew colder and darker.

Hounds were fully in charge now. Caughey went for a change of plan, a cross-kick to the left, where Niamh Marley wove her way in and out to cross. 36-5

Now Thunder put together one of their best moves, a chip over the top then a series of delicate off-loads and drives nearly brought a try, but the right touch-line undid the good work.

There was yet another injury, but this time, fortunately, Erin McConnell was able to walk off the field.

Another fine attack by Brython, only this time the left touch-line stepped in to hinder them.

Now came perhaps the best try of the night. Hannah O’Connor made another huge break. As the last defender approached, she fed Corrigan who sped in for her fourth. 41-5

Brython responded with another fine move. Harries exploded over the last few metres to cross unopposed. 41-10

The buggy hadn’t finished its night’s work, It ferried Mollie Wilkinson off with another leg injury. A curious moment followed: as Wolfhounds looked to be cantering over for another try on the right, the referee blew up for an injury on the other side of the field. For once, it looked a deal less serious. But the officialsd must have been concerned by this unwonted series of potentially serious injuries. Safety first.

Final score: Wolfhounds 41 Brython Thunder 10
Player of the Match: Katie Corrigan

Verdict

All those injuries prevented this from being an enjoyable game. We can only wish all the sufferers a speedy return to full fitness.

For all the criticism from Irish voices about shortcomings, you could see the advantages both the AIL and the Interpros give their players. Wolfhounds now bestride the table with four straight wins.

Teams:

Wolfhounds: 15 Ava Ryder, 14 Katie Corrigan, 13 Leah Tarpey, 12 Aoife Dalton, 11 Niamh Marley, 10 Nikki Caughey, 9 Erin McConnell, 1 Aoife Moore, 2 Sarah Delaney, 3 Sophie Barrett, 4 Eimear Corri, 5 Hannah O’Connor, 6 Grace Moore, 7 Molly Boyne (captain), 8 Brittany Hogan

Bench: 16 Meabh Clenaghan, 17 Megan Collis, 18 Christy Haney, 19 Claire Boles, 20 Ellen Boylan, 21 Jade Gaffney, 22 Abby Moyles, 23 Kelly McCormill

Brython Thunder: 15 Lowri Williams, 14 Eleanor Hing, 13 Ellie Tromans, 12 Meg Webb, 11 Amy Williams, 10 Niamh Terry, 9 Seren Singleton; 1 Chloe Thomas-Bradley, 2 Rosie Carr, 3 Cadi Lois Davies, 4 Natalia John, 5 Shona Wakley, 6 Finley Jones, 7 Alex Callender (captain), 8 Sioned Harries.

Bench: 16 Amy Morgan, 17 Madi Johns, 18 Katie Carr, 19 Charlie Mundy, 20 Katie Mackay, 21 Katie Bevans, 22 Mollie Wilkinson, 23 Sian Davies