Celtic Challenge: Lightning 19-20 Edinburgh - Muzambe claims late win

Scotland's Lisa Thomson was player of the match for Edinburgh

Edinburgh moved up to second in the Celtic Challenge after edging out Gwalia Lightning in a thrilling encounter at Cardiff Arms Park.

Millie Whitehouse, Ceiron Bell and Poppy Fletcher all crossed as Edinburgh dominated the first half.

Missed conversions opened the door for a Lightning comeback through Sian Jones' double and a stunning solo score by wing Katie Thicker.

But Edinburgh prop Panashe Muzambe clinched a bonus-point win late on.

It was a second win in a row for Edinburgh in Wales following victory over Brython Thunder and condemned Lightning to a second narrow defeat after losing 19-17 at Clovers earlier this month.

Only points difference separated these sides before kick-off in the battle for a top three finish to reach the play-offs.

Wales fly-half Robyn Wilkins and Australia-bred number eight Tess Evans made their debuts for Lightning, who were without Gloucester-Hartpury trio Nel Metcalfe, Gwennan Hopkins and Catherine Richards.

Scotland centre Lisa Thomson, released to play by GB Sevens, was among three changes for Edinburgh and showed her class in denying lock Paige Jones an early try.

A last-ditch tackle by full-back Rhodd Parry prevented Bell from touching down, but Lightning's pack could do little to stop hooker Whitehouse finishing a powerful drive by Edinburgh's line-out.

Thomson should have doubled the lead, but was left with her head in her hands after dropping the ball over the line though Bell finished from Emma Orr's well-weighted pass on 25 minutes.

The hosts hit back when scrum-half Jones stretched out of Sarah Denholm's tackle to touch down.

However, Edinburgh struck a third try just before half-time when prop Fletcher crashed over for a 15-7 lead at the break.

Half-time words from Lightning head coach Cat Nicholas-McLaughlin saw her side rally as Jones powered over from a scrum and wing Thicker grabbed a stunning score in the space of four minutes.

Thicker had only just taken the field when she received the ball on the half-way line to speed past her opposite number along the touchline before stepping past Thomson for a 19-15 lead.

But another replacement, Muzambe, dived over from close range seven minutes from time to ensure an Edinburgh win.

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 (capt), M Davies, L Isaac, T Evans.

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

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

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