Celtic Challenge: Gwalia Lightning 20-5 Brython Thunder

Brython Thunder captain Alex Callender has won 32 caps for Wales

Gwalia Lightning came out on top in the inaugural Celtic Challenge Welsh derby against Brython Thunder.

A host of senior, Under-20 and Wales rugby league internationals were on show at Rodney Parade in the first of an east-versus-west double header.

Catherine Richards, who has trained with Wales' senior squad, shone with two first-half tries for Lightning, with Wales flanker Kate Williams also crossing.

Meg Davies scored Thunder's only try.

Lightning, who had far fewer international caps in their ranks, were first across the whitewash, Williams driving over after some good work from Jenni Scoble off a line-out.

Thunder hit straight back, a charge down by Finley Jones deep inside the 22 allowing Wales scrum-half Davies to cross over from a quick-tap penalty.

Momentum then swung back to Lightning and they re-gained the lead thanks to two well-taken tries by wing Richards, a player very much on the radar of Wales head coach Ioan Cunningham, who was a keen observer in Newport.

The first came from a pinpoint cross-field kick from Carys Hughes and the second showing good strength to shrug off the defenders.

Nel Metcalfe, who made her Wales debut in the autumn, put further daylight between the scores with a touchline conversion and a penalty to give them a 20-5 lead at the break.

There were no further scores in the second half, with Thunder's Niamh Terry and Eleanor Hing coming the closest, but they could not break down the resolute defending of the side in blue.

Their captain Alex Callender looked threatening, as ever, at the breakdown.

The game was a welcome return to action for the Wales flanker, who alongside a fit-again Natalia John and Hannah Bluck had all been left without a club following the collapse of Worcester Warriors Women in October.

It was also a good run-out for one of Wales' most capped players, Sioned Harries, who has been a free agent since the summer.

Cunningham and his backroom staff also got a good look at Wales rugby league internationals Katie Carr and Rosie Carr, Charlie Mundy and Molly Reardon along with Wales Under-20s players Sian Jones, Carys Hughes and Gwennan Hopkins, who were all part of the extended WXV training squad.

Lightning scrum-half Jones looked sharp all afternoon and was deservedly named player of the match.

Round two of the cross border competition commences next weekend, with Brython Thunder away to Irish side Clovers on Saturday, 6 January, while Gwalia Lightning host Glasgow Warriors the following day.

Gwalia Lightning: Nel Metcalfe; Katie Thicker, Kelsie Webster, Rebecca De Filippo, Catherine Richards; Carys Hughes, Sian Jones; Abbey Constable, Molly Reardon, Jenni Scoble, Paige Jones, Bryonie King (capt), Katie Jenkins, Kate Williams, Gwennan Hopkins.

Replacements: Mica Evans, Sophie Waugh, Lowri Williams, Maisie Davies, Sydney Mead, Kierra Deeks, Molly Anderson-Thomas, Kate Davies.

Brython Thunder: Lowri Williams; Danai Mugabe, Meg Webb, Hannah Bluck, Eleanor Hing; Niamh Terry, Meg Davies; Chloe Thomas Bradley, Rosie Carr, Katie Carr, Natalia John, Charlie Mundy, Finley Jones, Alex Callender (capt), Sioned Harries.

Replacements: Rhian Thomas, Madi Johns, Katie Carr, Katie Mackay, Georgia Morgan, Seren Singleton, Mollie Wilkinson, Ellie May Tromans.