Gwalia Lightning’s triumph in Edinburgh today brings them a fourth win in five.

The first half remained a tough contest.

Sian Jones got the visitors off to a positive start by sending a long diagonal towards Edinburgh’s lines; almost a 50:22.

Stern defences held the Welsh out, and for a time the home pack got the better of a powerful looking opposition.

But soon enough Maisie Davies made her first mark of the day to cross the line.

Both sides created chances, but untidiness and inaccuracy kept the scoreboard silent till the Edinburgh pack gained their reward for a devastating shove with a penalty try.

This uplift had a short life.

Another Scottish attack broke down, and once again Davies took advantage to score.

Half-time: 7-12

These totals might have been so much higher but for turnovers that pricked the balloon of confidence.

How different the second half proved to be. Gwalia ran away with the game, adding a further 31 points without reply.

Edinburgh went on making straightforward errors, some of which, like clearances in defence, point to deficiencies in coaching as much as in player awareness.

Hannah Ramsay at 10 had kicks charged down as the pack in front of her and her No 9 failed to offer clean ball.

Gwalia needed little encouragement; their performances this season had already put a spring in their step.

They now profited from every Scottish error to build some dazzling phases. The tries rained in.

When Lily Terry charged over in the 69th minute, that was four tries in 24 minutes. The bonus point was almost incidental.

Edinburgh did have some good moments, but not minutes. All too often a poor pass intervened or support was a metre or two off pace to prevent an overturn.

They were further handicapped when Rachel Philipps had to leave the field with an arm injury.

In sharp contrast, it was encouraging for Gwalia that the replacements joining the action proved as penetrative as the first choices.

Poor Talei Tawake, only just on, was carded for offside as the home side tried to halt another stampede.

It was typical of the whole half that Catherine Richards profited from another turnover to race over in the 79th minute.

Result: Edinburgh Rugby 7 Gwalia Lightning 43

Player of the Match: Maisie Davies

Teams (as published)

Edinburgh Rugby: 15 NICOLE MARLOW 14 CIERON BELL 13 LISA BROWN 12 RACHEL PHILIPPS 11 HANNAH WALKER (captain) 10 HANNAH RAMSAY 9 EMILY LOVE 1 ALISON WILSON 2 AILA RONALD 3 FAYE SUTHERLAND 4 ADELLE FERRIE 5 NATASHA LOGAN 6 CATRIONA MOODY 7 ALEX STEWART 8 KAY LUSBY
16 KAYLEE FRASER 17 TALEI TAWAKE 18 HANNAH McMAHON 19 CHARLOTTE RUSSELL 20 LAURYN McGROTTY 21 PIP BENSON 22 LUCY MacRAE 23 SCARLETT HADDOW

Gwalia Lightning: 15 CATHERINE RICHARDS 14 COURTNEY GREENWAY 13 ISLA MCMULLEN 12 CAITLYN LEWIS 11 NIKITA PROTHERO 10 CARYS HUGHES 9 SIAN LEWIS 1 MAISIE DAVIES 2 MOLLY REARDON 3 JENNI SCOBLE 4 LILY TERRY 5 ALAW PYRS 6 CATRIN STEWART 7 ANWEN OWEN 8 BRYONIE KING
16 MOLLIE CRABB 17 CHLOE THOMAS BRADLEY 18 EVIE HILL 19 TILLY VUCAJ 20 LOTTIE BUFFERY LATHAM 21 LILY HAWKINS 22 MOLLY ANDERSON 23 CATHERINE PALMER

Afterthoughts

Of the two national coaches Sean Lynn and Sione Fukofuka, it will have been Lynn watching proceedings with a keener eye.

As I type, he still hasn’t announced first training squad, but several Gwalia players must now be pencilled into his notebook. Some have already been capped, but he’ll be aware of the positions that need strengthening (most of them?).

But even leading Gwalia figures like Reardon and Davies aren’t the complete player yet; Reardon’s line-out throws are no more secure than Carys Phillips’, and Davies won’t have enjoyed being shunted backwards by a delighted Edinburgh pack.

Here’s where the CC still has to prove itself long-term. Can it really provide well-rounded players in every position? Or does the head coach know his assistants can correct any faults in a highly promising player?

We now await tomorrow to see whether Brython Thunder can take inspiration from their Welsh sisters. They lag far behind in the table, a truer sign of current Welsh standards.

Both Clovers and Thunder will be intent on showing they are at least the equals of their compatriots.

If the Hounds lose at home, it will be the biggest upset the CC has yet known.

Sunday fixtures:

1. Clovers v Brython Thunder 12.00
2. Wolfhounds v Glasgow Warriors 15.00

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?

Celtic Challenge – First round, The Hive, Edinburgh

It proved to be significant that Lindsey Smith, the new Warriors coach, had only two weeks to prepare her side.

ER were the favourites, but GW rightly took the lead. They marched forward at the first scrum, then a cross-kick bounced neatly into Sky Phimister’s grasp, and she was away. 0-7 Lisa Martin then added a penalty to her conversion. 0-10

ER got their clock ticking when Hannah Walker made an initial break, then escsped another trap to stride over. (7-10) From there ER dominated play. Recycling quickly, they were happy to spread the ball wide. One long pass tempted the defence into an interception, but Walker took hold and was in for her second. Lucy MacRae converted well. 14-10

On the half-hour another clean line-out led to a try by skipper Alex Stewart. 19-10

A quite magnificent move followed. The ER backs started with a well-executed loop, deft hands forced gaps, and Lucia Scott was the beneficiary. 24-10 and a bonus-point. The game was already running away from the visitors. An over optimisitic off-load in attack meant they were ill positioned to face a counter. More pacy handling, and it was Ciron Bell’s turn to score. 31-10

With time already up, MacRae decided on a penalty to add to a commanding lead.

Half-time 34-10

It was vital for GW to regain their early dominance; there was a long tournament ahead.

But no, the ER backs were too fast, too knowing. Walker made another break and fed Bell for her
second try. Now.only the GW set-scrum was outperforming its opposition. 39-10
post.

Hannah Ramsay, one of ER’s outstanding players, was the first to be substituted. The next
moment, GW had a comeback try. The referee needed a second opinion from his AR, but for once
it was not a ‘held-up’ decision – good! 39-15. Briar McNamara’s conversion pranged back off a
ER found more space, won a penalty near the line, and Shona Campbell from GB Sevens tapped
and was over all on her own. (44-15) Another thrilling move saw enough space created for Walker
to claim her hat-trick, now on the left. 49-15

GW had an encouraging attack in the last ten: McNamara made a burst through the middle, but
Phimister couldn’t quite get past Campbell. The pack supported well, forcing ER to carry over
their own line. But they couldn’t reap the benefit. They weren’t to gain a try-bonus point.

Players were tiring, but not Faye Sutherland, who ran 50 metres from the back of a defensive
scrum. The teenage prop Talei Tawake profited, driving over from an attacking line-out. 56-15.
In the last play of the evening, Sutherland repeated her trick, from a bit nearer the line, and this
time she crossed for a final try.

Result: Edinburgh Rugby 61 Glasgow Warriors 15 Player of the Match: Hannah Walker

Teams:

Edinburgh Rugby

15 Lucia Scott (Gloucester Hartpury), 14 Ciron Bell (Loughborough Lightning), 13 Holly McIntyre
(University of Edinburgh), 12 Lucy MacRae (University of Edinburgh), 11 Hannah Walker
(University of Edinburgh), 10 Hannah Ramsay (University of Edinburgh), 9 Rhea Clarke (University
of Edinburgh), 1 Alison Wilson (Heriot’s), 2 Aila Ronald (University of Edinburgh), 3 Molly Poolman
(Watsonian), 4 Adelle Ferrie (Corstorphine Cougars), 5 Natasha Logan (University of Edinburgh), 6
Merryn Gunderson (Corstorphine Cougars), 7 Alex Stewart ((captain, Corstorphine Cougars), 8
Samoanther Taganekurukuru (Stirling County)
16 Karis Craig (Watsonian), 17 Talei Tawake (Watsonians), 18 Hannah McMahon (University of
Edinburgh), 19 L Christie (Newcastle University), 20 Faye Sutherland (Corstorphine Cougars), 21
Shona Campbell (GB Sevens), 22 Sarah Denholm (Ealing Trailfinders), 23 Giselle Chicot
(Watsonian).

Glasgow Warriors

15 Roma Fraser (Hillhead Jordanhill), 14 Sky Phimister (Stirling County), 13
Orla Proctor (Harlequins), 12 Lisa Martin (Corstorphine Cougars), 11 G Deane (Loughborough
Lightning), 10 Ceitidh Ainsworth (Stirling County), 9 Maia McDonald (Exeter Chiefs), 1 Ailie Tucker
(captain, Watsonians), 2 Aicha Sutcliffe (Stirling County), 3 Katie Lindsay (Corstorphine Cougars),
4 Holland Bogan (Stirling County), 5 Kate Yeomans (Hillhead Jordanhill), 6 Eilidh MacGilvray
(Highland), 7 Emily Coubrough (University of Edinburgh), 8 Freya Walker (Watsonians)
16 Megan Hyland (Garioch), 17 Popph Clarkson (Biggar), 18 Alex Ward (Garioch), 19 Aisha
Zameer (University of Strathclyde), 20 Erinn Foley (Hillhead Jordanhill), 21 Mary Nelson
(Watsonians), 22 Poppy Mellanby (Biggar), 23 Briar McNamara (Watsonians)

Afterthoughts

ER had the edge all over the park; just the opening ten minutes caused worries. The backs look capsble of worrying all the other sides.

The presence of so many university players was a reminder of the early days, when the majority of women players were students. But the sprinkling of PWR club players was a sign of the times.

The CC has become the only tournament available free-to-air for every match.

Lindsey Smith took over at Scotstoun in November, when Chris Laidlaw moved south to join Quins’ coaching staff; not the most propitious time for such a move.

This was the game unbeaten Wolfhounds needed to ensure the trophy. It turned into a humdinger.
Edinburgh put up two testing kicks at the start, but it was Wolfhounds who scored the first try. The ball flicked out to Ellen Boylan on the left with good control. 0-5

But Edinburgh had Emma Orr on their side. She sudddenly burst through midfield, offered a swerve and a hand-off and was over, her fourth try of the campaign. 5-5

Wolfhounds were more efficient at this stage, the line-outs straighter, players running hard on to passes from the base of the ruck, unlike their opponents.

As the game developed, they added safe and telling off-loads to their repertoire, nothing showy, simply what the opposition didn’t want them to achieve. But after a long period on top, they found themsleves defending madly. Briar McNamara fed Cieron Bell, who was stopped just short on the left. But the referee had spotted an off-side, so Edinburgh had a free hand. The ball whipped into the centre, where, you may not be surprised to hear, it was Orr who snapped the line in two to run in under the posts. 12-5

Two minutes before the break Wolfhounds got the reward they deserved. A scrum near the hosts’ line caved in. Grace Moore tapped but was just held out. Instead, Christy Haney was there to finish the job.

Half-time 12-12

Another entertainingly close game; the second spell promised even better. Edinburgh scored a wonderful try. The pack worked hard in midfield, then the backs manufactured space cleverly – a double mis-pass, then a loop – leaving Bell enough room to canter over for her fifth of the campaign. McNamara fed her a beautiful pass. 19-12

Time for Alcorn to introduce Linda Djougang to rectify matters. Wolfhounds built methodically again, but as they drove over the line, the call once more was ‘held up!’

The next moment, there was Orr popping an overhead pass into Bell’s hands but she couldn’t quite make the line. No matter, they now copied Wolfhounds’ model of ball retention, hammering at the line for Alex Stewart to get the vital touchdown. That was the bonus point, if not conclusive victory. 26-12

On 70 minutes Wolfhounds opted for a scrum at a penalty a distance out. It took them a long time to make this superiority tell. Only four minutes were left when Linda Djougang forced her way over to give her team their first score since the break. Nikki Caughey hurried her kick, but didn’t muff it. 26-19.

Three minutes on the clock.

Edinburgh hadn’t sealed the deal; Wolfhounds weren’t the unbeaten side by chance. They attacked decisively as the clock turned red, and Katie Corrigan was allowed to run in under the posts for an easy conversion.

Result: 26-26 (that score again!)

This late riposte undid Edinburgh’s chances of overtaking the leaders. Where had that 14-point lead gone?

Teams:

Edinburgh Rugby
15. Nicole Marlow (Cardiff Met), 14. Nicole Flynn (University of Edinburgh), 13. Emma Orr (Heriot’s/ Biggar), 12. Briar McNamara (Watsonian), 11. Cieron Bell (University of Edinburgh), 10. Sarah Denholm (captain, University of Edinburgh), 9. Jenny Maxwell (Loughborough Lightning), 1. Panashe Muzambe (Exeter Chiefs), 2. Millie Whitehouse (University of Edinburgh), 3. Katie Lindsay (Corstorphine Cougars), 4. Fiona McIntosh (Saracens), 5. Adelle Ferrie (Corstorphine Cougars),
6. Merryn Gunderson (Corstorphine Cougars), 7. Alex Stewart (Corstorphine Cougars), 8. Freya Walker (Watsonian)

Bench:
16. Aila Ronald (University of Edinburgh), 17. Poppy Fletcher (University of Edinburgh), 18. Molly Poolman (Watsonian), 19. Nathasha Logan (University of Edinburgh), 20. Gemma Bell (Hartpury University), 21. Zoe Turner (Corstorphine Cougars), 22. Hannah Ramsay (Corstorphine Cougars), 23. Rhona Lloyd (GB Sevens)

Wolfhounds
15. Ava Ryder (Connacht), 14. Katie Corrigan (Leinster), 13. Leah Tarpey (Leinster), 12. Katie Heffernan (Leinster), 11. Ellen Boylan (Munster), 10. Nikki Caughey (Leinster), 9. Jade Gaffney (Leinster), 1. Aoife Moore (Leinster), 2. Meabh Clenaghan (Ulster), 3. Christy Haney (Leinster), 4. Eimear Corri (Leinster), 5. Hannah O’Connor (Leinster), 6. Claire Boles (Ulster), 7. Molly Boyne (captain, Leinster), 8. Grace Moore (Saracens)

Bench:
16. India Daley (Ulster), 17. Linda Djougang (Leinster), 18. Sophie Barrett (Ulster), 19. Fiona Tuite (Ulster), 20. Keelin Brady (Ulster), 21. Katie Whelan (Leinster), 22. Abby Moyles (Ulster), 23. Kelly McCormill (Ulster)

Officials:
Referee: David Young
ARs: Calum Lazenby and David Changleng with thanks to rugbyreferee.net

The Table                                                W    D    L    Pts

Wolfhounds                                            5     1      0      27
Edinburgh Rugby                                  4      1     1      23
Clovers                                                     3      0     2      14
Gwalia Lightning                                   2      0     3      12
Brython Thunder                                   1      0     4        6
Glasgow Warriors                                  0     0     5        0

The game in Edinburgh brings the top two sides together. Unbeaten Wolfhounds have to travel to take on second-placed Edinburgh Rugby.

This is the opening round of the playoffs, so final outcomes wait till later, but the contest presents a chance for both sides to stake a first claim on the trophy.

Inevitably the head coaches are pulling out all the stops. One stop Scottish fans may not have realised their organ possesses is Rhona Lloyd (pictured above), who is suddenly produced out of the magician’s hat, or perhaps smuggled out of GB 7s den (that’s three metaphors jammed together!). If she is allowed off the bench, she will make her debut for her native city. But only if! As Lloyd appears, so Lisa Thomson disappears. They’ll miss her kicking skills.

Claire Cruikshank’s side saw off the other Irish side, Clovers, with a bonus point, but this will be a different test. Wolfhounds’ 5 out of 5 points to a teaky unit that is hard to break down and keep down. Cruikshank has made minimal changes: Briar McNamara is restored to inside-centre; Fi McIntosh strengthens the pack as she returns to the second row. The one other prospective debutant alongside Lloyd is Zoe Turner at scrum-half.

Neill Alcorn, head coach of the Wolfhounds, has made four changes: Christy Haney comes in at tight-head, and the Saracen, Grace Moore, wears No 8. Out behind Ellen Boylan starts on the left wing and Leah Tarpey at No 13.

One slight difference in approach is seen in the clubs the players hail from. The hosts offer three from PWR clubs, the visitors only one. But that is the whole point of the enterprise: the emphasis is laid strongly on home-grown talent. The elite squad can look after itself for the present.

The capital side lie a whole four points behind their opponents, so are under no illusions about the task they are taking on. But they have had sufficient success in recent weeks to feel really buoyed.

A brief reminder: the six teams have divided into two pools, based on earlier results. Edinburgh find themsleves taking on both the Irish sides in Pool A.

Teams:
Edinburgh Rugby
15. Nicole Marlow (Cardiff Met), 14. Nicole Flynn (University of Edinburgh), 13. Emma Orr (Heriot’s/ Biggar), 12. Briar McNamara (Watsonian), 11. Cieron Bell (University of Edinburgh), 10. Sarah Denholm (captain, University of Edinburgh), 9. Jenny Maxwell (Loughborough Lightning), 1. Panashe Muzambe (Exeter Chiefs), 2. Millie Whitehouse (University of Edinburgh), 3. Katie Lindsay (Corstorphine Cougars), 4. Fiona McIntosh (Saracens), 5. Adelle Ferrie (Corstorphine Cougars),
6. Merryn Gunderson (Corstorphine Cougars), 7. Alex Stewart (Corstorphine Cougars), 8. Freya Walker (Watsonian)

Bench:
16. Aila Ronald (University of Edinburgh), 17. Poppy Fletcher (University of Edinburgh), 18. Molly Poolman (Watsonian), 19. Nathasha Logan (University of Edinburgh), 20. Gemma Bell (Hartpury University), 21. Zoe Turner (Corstorphine Cougars), 22. Hannah Ramsay (Corstorphine Cougars), 23. Rhona Lloyd (GB Sevens)

Wolfhounds
15. Ava Ryder (Connacht), 14. Katie Corrigan (Leinster), 13. Leah Tarpey (Leinster), 12. Katie Heffernan (Leinster), 11. Ellen Boylan (Munster), 10. Nikki Caughey (Leinster), 9. Jade Gaffney (Leinster), 1. Aoife Moore (Leinster), 2. Meabh Clenaghan (Ulster), 3. Christy Haney (Leinster), 4. Eimear Corri (Leinster), 5. Hannah O’Connor (Leinster), 6. Claire Boles (Ulster), 7. Molly Boyne (captain, Leinster), 8. Grace Moore (Saracens)

Bench:
16. India Daley (Ulster), 17. Linda Djougang (Leinster), 18. Sophie Barrett (Ulster), 19. Fiona Tuite (Ulster), 20. Keelin Brady (Ulster), 21. Katie Whelan (Leinster), 22. Abby Moyles (Ulster), 23. Kelly McCormill (Ulster)

Officials:
Referee: David Young
ARs: Calum Lazenby and David Changleng with thanks to rugbyreferee.net

The other game taking place the same day is Glasgow Warriors v Brython Thunder at Scotstoun, Glasgow.

As usual, the games will be transmitted live and free by rugbypass.tv

A thoroughly exciting game, possibly the best of the series so far.

After a kick-tennis start, the game really warmed up. Gwalia were held on the line, then Jenny De Vera made a thrilling break through midfield and found an off-load. Lightning repossessed and flung the ball wide – but oh dear! – the scoring pass finished in touch. Chance gone.

At last Edinburgh managed a turnover and Caity Mattinson sent the ball down into foreign territory, where, if there had been blades of grass, they would have been trodden down for the first time.

Both sides were looking to play a rapid game, Mattinson twice taking a tap and go, but not from the correct spot on one occasion. Sian Jones was equally proactive.

The Scots had their first big chance at a 5-metre line-out, but once again the throw was crook. How many practice arrows do hookers launch every day?

A second effort worked perfectly. The pack rumbled ahead till they gained a penalty, but the ball was thrown wide for Ciaron Bell to win a foot-race to the line. But, and it’s a big but, evidence was provided that she was held up by Rhodd Parry. No try!

Yet another penalty back on the original side worked perfectly. A well controlled drive saw Millie Whitehouse claim the opening points. 0-5

Both sides went on playing positive rugby; one marked feature was the strength of Lisa Thomson’s kicking; it kept pinning the Welsh back in their half.

Edinburgh were dominating possession now, off-loading at will and recycling at speed. The outcome was a break to the line, but – alas! – Thomson spilled the ball.

More delightful combinations brought Bell her second try on the left. The passes alternated long and short, deep and shallow, so defences were unsure who and where to mark. 0-10

Two faulty kicks by Mattinson brought the Welsh back into the game. The first went straight out; the second into the arms of Robyn Wilkins who produced a splendid 50/22. Gwalia developed the position well, big drives, then quick hands to the left. But once more the final pass was thrown into touch. No need to show coaches tearing their hair out.

The misery didn’t last long. Sian Jones bundled her way over the line to start cutting that lead back. 7-10
Just before half-time another failed line-out brought a setback for the Welsh. The last thrust for the line was made by Poppy Fletcher.

Half-time: 7-15

It was vital for Gwalia to sort the scoreboard out. They did so with a vengeance, though it took them another twenty minutes. They posted two tries in quick time to take the lead. They were denied first by a turnover roughly a metre from the Scottish line, but then Jones, very much a driving force behind Lightning’s endeavours, squirmed her way over the line for her second. 12-15

Hardly two minutes later Katie Thicker somehow found her way past a string of defenders on the right touch-line to run clear and rouse the home crowd to more cheers. Once again the conversion was missed. 19-15

For the first time the team in blue was in the lead. Could they hold on? There was a full 15 minutes left to decide the issue.

A penalty decision against Lightning assured their fate. Thomson launched a fine kick into the left corner. The throw was not taken cleanly, but the Scottish forwards kept possession and drove to the line. They had to be patient as the defences were strong, but when Panashe Muzambe grabbed the ball, she burrowed underneath to score near the left edge. Another missed conversion meant the slenderest of leads, but Gwalia couldn’t turn the tide.

Edinburgh were canny in the way they kept possession offering next to no chances for Gwalia to turn the ball over. They advanced firmly down the field till the call came ‘Time’s up’, and appropriately it was Thomson, named Player of the Match, who cleared the ball into the stand. She might have preferred to be in Perth, claiming a bronze medal for GB, but she performed admirably here.

Result: Gwalia Lightning 19 Edinburgh Rugby 20

Both sides won a bonus point

Teams:

Gwalia Lightning: R Parry, C Lewis, J De Vera, R De Filippo, K Davies, R Wilkins, S Jones, A
Constable, M Reardon, J Scoble, P Jones, B King (captain), M Davies, L Issac, T Evans

Bench: S Waugh, D Dinapoli, L Williams, E Jones, S Mead, K Deeks, R Thomas Evans, K Thicker

Edinburgh Rugby: N Marlow, N Flynn, E Orr, L Thomson, C Bell, S Denholm (captain), C
Mattinson, P Fletcher, M Whitehouse, M Poolman, A Ferrie, N Logan, M Gunderson, A Stewart, F
Walker

Bench: A Ronald, P Muzambe, K Lindsay, S Murphy, G Bell, L Brebner-Holden, B McNamara, H
Walker

Officials:
Referee: Amber Stamp (WRU)
ARs: Richard Jones (WRU) & Damien Osbourne (WRU)
with thanks to rugbyreferee.net

The win takes Edinburgh into second place. Their pace and cohesion were a lesson to their city neighbours Glasgow yesterday.

The last of the regular rounds takes place next weekend. The slim-line table looks like this:

Wolfhounds 19 Points
Edinburgh R 15
Clovers 14
Gwalia L 11
Brython T 1
Glasgow W 0

So Ireland lie 1st and 3rd; Scotland 2nd and 6th; Wales 4th and 5th.