Lightning edge Warriors with last-gasp try
Gwalia Lightning scored a try in the final minute to beat Glasgow Warriors in Celtic Challenge
- Published
Celtic Challenge Cup
Gwalia Lightning (31)
Tries: Parry, Pyrs, Greenway 2, King; Cons: Hughes 3
Glasgow Warriors (26)
Tries: McNamara 2, Bell, Phimister; Cons: McNamara 3
Gwalia Lightning produced a second half fightback and scored a try in the 80th minute to earn a dramatic victory over winless Glasgow Warriors in the Celtic Challenge.
The Welsh side were favourites, having won two of their first three matches, while the Warriors remain at the bottom of the table.
Wales flanker Bryonie King returned to captain Gwalia after sustaining an ankle injury in round two.
The home side quickly took the lead when Rhodd Parry scored the opening try two minutes into the match. Carys Hughes, who had already amassed 22 points in the first three rounds, added the conversion.
Glasgow responded when Briar McNamara broke through to power over under the posts, but she missed the conversion.
Gemma Bell followed the same path, breaking through Gwalia's defence in the 28th minute and McNamara added the conversion.
Glasgow's third try came a minute later, with full-back Sky Phimister taking control of a high kick.
She shrugged off a defender with a quick dummy and goosestep, then ran almost the length of the pitch for a magnificent solo try for Warriors to lead by 12 points at the break after McNamara's conversion.
Alaw Pyrs scored Gwalia's second try from a close-range line-out to bring the score to 12-19 after 54 minutes.
Warriors hit back instantly to secure a crucial bonus point through McNamara, who also converted, as the visitors led 26-12.
But that first win was not to be. Courtney Greenway showed great awareness close to the try line, scooping the ball up and diving over the ruck to score Gwalia's third try.
Two minutes later Greenway's pace in open space allowed her to glide over to bring Lightning back to 24-26 after Hughes' conversion.
Gwalia needed one last push to secure the win, and as the clock hit 80 minutes, captain King seized the moment with a pick and go from the back of a ruck to power through the weary Warriors defence.
Hughes stepped up and nailed the conversion, putting Gwalia five points ahead to complete the comeback.
Gwalia Lightning have notched up three wins from four matches, moving up to third place in the Celtic Challenge table, just behind the Irish teams Wolfhounds and Clovers.
Gwalia Lightning captain Bryonie King said:
"[In] the first half we made it really difficult for ourselves but we all stuck together and we got the win together as a team. It was a really special moment to be a part of.
"[The win came from] a change in our mindset, more direct running and being ourselves in attack.
"We love to carry hard and look at tips and show who Gwalia Lightning are."
Line-ups
Gwalia Lightning: Rhodd Parry; Caitlin Lewis, Carys Williams-Morris, Molly Anderson-Thomas, Courtney Greenway; Carys Hughes, Sian Jones; Maisie Davies, Molly Reardon, Jenni Scoble, Lily Terry, Alaw Pyrs, Katherine Baverstock, Paige Jones, Bryonie King (capt).
Replacements: Molly Wakely, Dali Hopkins, Cana Williams, Erin Jones, Lottie Buffery-Latham, Seren Lockwood, Anwen Owen, Lowri Davies.
Glasgow Warriors: Sky Phimister, Abi Evans, Orla Proctor, Brair McNamara, Grace Deane, Ceithdh Ainsworth, Mairi Mcdonald (capt); Lisa Cockburn, Aicha Sutcliffe, Katie Lindsay, Holland Bogan, Aisha Zameer, Erinn Foley, Gemma Bell, Emily Coubrough.
Replacements: Megan Hyland, Alex Ward, Louise Downie, Katie Yeomans, Rowann Sinclair, Mary Nelson, Poppy Mellanby, Izzy McGuire Evans.