Lightning strike twice in Celtic Challenge derbies

Maisie Davies scored the game's only try

Celtic Challenge

Brython Thunder (0) 0

Gwalia Lightning (3) 10

Try: M Davies Con: Hughes Pen: Hughes

Gwalia Lightning completed the Celtic Challenge derby double over Brython Thunder in a low scoring affair at Parc y Scarlets.

A Carys Hughes penalty was all that separated the two Welsh sides after a scrappy first half, despite Thunder crossing the try line three times.

The stalemate continued long after the break, with Wales prop and player of the match Maisie Davies finally crossing on 67 minutes.

The game had been a far cry from last weekend's 10-try thriller at Ystrad Mynach, which Lightning won 42-22.

Lightning finish the day top of the table with the two Scottish sides yet to play their second round fixture.

Such was the scrappiness of the encounter that when Lightning earned an early penalty five metres out, they opted for a kick at goal.

It was right in front of posts and Hughes, who had a 100% record last weekend, relied on all the woodwork to guide the ball through.

Thunder then grew into the game with Eleanor Hing once again looking a threat on her wing.

They had some golden opportunities to score, and probably should have off a driving maul which appeared to have been illegally brought down by Davies, who had been at the heart of everything.

The skipper Natalia John, Evie Gill and Katie Carr all crossed the line for Thunder, but all three had gone too high into contact and were easily held up.

It was more of the same after the break, only it was Hughes' turn to be held up by John as she tried to wriggle free over the line.

Wales scrum-half Ffion Lewis was introduced on 48 minutes as she continues her comeback from a serious knee injury. It also set up an interesting battle with fellow international Sian Jones.

Hannah Bluck made a big impact from the Thunder bench and almost scored from a kick chase, but Caitlin Lewis won the race to ground the ball.

Lightning's decision to take the three points in the first half looked to have paid off as it was not until late into the second half that Lightning finally found a way through the Thunder defence.

The forwards showed good patience before Davies was able to pick her gap and dart through.

Hughes added the conversion to deny Thunder a losing bonus point.

Both sides are on the road in round three, with Lightning taking on Clovers on 4 January and Thunder facing Edinburgh.

Gwalia Lightning head coach Catrina Nicholas-Mclaughlin said: "One thing that we learned today is how to grind out that win and how to try and manage the game.

"One thing that we wanted to do is take points early on if we're in the 22. It was 3-0 for quite a long period in the game and it looked like it could finish that way at one point.

"I think the girls showed great grit and determination, the number of times we were on our line, defensively I thought we were excellent.

"I thought Brython's backs in particular and the skill they showed was fantastic."

Line-ups

Brython Thunder: Hannah Lane; Ellie Tromans, Meg Webb, Savannah Picton-Powell, Eleanor Hing, Niamh Terry, Seren Singleton; Katie Carr, Evie Gill, Lowri Williams, Gwen Crabb, Natalia John (capt), Robyn Davies, Lucy Issac, Jessica Rogers

Replacements: Poppy Hughes, Chloe Thomas-Bradley, Meg Lewis, Danai Mugabe, Anna Stowell, Ffion Lewis, Hanna Marshall, Hannah Bluck

Gwalia Lightning: Courtney Greenway; Caitlin Lewis, Kelsie Webster, Molly Anderson-Thomas, Catherine Richards, Carys Hughes, Sian Jones; Maisie Davies, Molly Reardon, Danyelle Dinapoli, Lily Terry, Alaw Pyrs, Bryonie King (capt), Paige Jones, Gwennan Hopkins

Replacements: Molly Mae Crabb, Cana Williams, Jenni Scoble, Erin Jones, Katherine Baverstock, Seren Lockwood, Nia Fajeyisan, Lowri Davies.