Brython Thunder stunned the reigning champions and league leaders, Wolfhounds, in Round 8 of the Celtic Challenge at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday afternoon with a deserved 14-0 victory.
The Welsh side pulled off one of the shocks of the Celtic Challenge when they defeated the Irish side that has dominated the tournament since its inception.
Thunder’s win keeps them in the hunt for a play-off place with two games of the league campaign to play.
Brython were a different team to the side that suffered some big defeats to the back-to back champions in the past with full back Amy Williams and centre Savannah Picton-Powell crossing for the vital tries for a well deserved victory,
The Welsh side adapted and played the torrential conditions better than the visitors and were well worth their 14-0 lead at half-time.
With scrum half Seren Lockwood and fly half Hanna Marshall showing real maturity with an excellent kicking game to keep the champions under pressure.
Thunder had to deal with awful conditions and a downpour but were 7-0 up after 20 minutes of this contest
The Welsh side have now won their last three games in the Celtic Challenge and are still in the hunt for a play-off place.
Thunder started brightly with Number 8 Jorja Aiono and scrum half Seren Lockwood combining to break the Irish side’s defence.
The visitors defence held firm but it was an early sign of the home side’s intent and only good defence kept the Thunder at bay.
Full back Williams crossed for a superb counter-attack try after the Welsh side’s handling in awful conditions flat-footed the Irish side.
Fly half Hanna Marshall added the conversion to make it 7-0 to Thunder midway through the first half.
Centre Picton-Powell then extended the home side’s lead with a well worked try to crash in under the posts. Marshall added the extras to make it 14-0 at half-time.
After the break, Wolfhounds Maggie Boylan was lucky not to be punished for a high tackle on wing Mabli Evans.
The conditions did play a part but Thunder’s resilience and desire to get the job done kept the champions to scoreless in a frantic finale.
Brython Thunder travel to face Glasgow Warriors in Round 9 at the Scotstoun Stadium on Saturday, February 28th (KO:1pm).