Clovers 35 Gwalia Lightning 20
Gwalia Lightning fell short when they went down to Clovers in a pulsating Celtic Challenge semi-final at the Dexcom Stadium in Galway on Saturday afternoon.
This was the first game of a unique play-off semi-finals day for the new expanded cross-border Celtic Challenge.
The Welsh side had been in the play-off places throughout the new Celtic Challenge between sides from Ireland, Scotland Wales, but this proved a game to far in Ireland.
Welsh sides Gwalia Lightning and Brython Thunder both qualified for the semi-finals to face the best Irish rugby has to offer in the women’s game.
Lightning skipper Bryonie King led from the front and produced a trademark all-action performance.
Second row Alaw Pyrs, replacement wing Caitlin Lewis, flanker Gwennan Hopkins all crossed for tries for Gwalia Lightning.
Both sides brought a physical edge with a willingness to play an expansive brand of rugby in a winner-takes all semi-final at the home of Connacht Rugby.
Gwalia Lightning made a dream start after a series of power plays led by Wales backrower Hopkins, who split Clovers with a solo-break, and saw Wales lock Pyrs crash over for the try near the posts.
Fly half Carys Hughes converted to make it 7-0 after four minutes and the Welsh side were up and running in Galway.
Lightning’s defence then held firm when Clovers were held up over the line when the Irish side enjoyed a period of dominance but they were not to be denied when hooker Beth Buttimer crashed over.
Fly half Enya Breen added the extras to level the scores at 7-7 midway through the first half.
Gwalia’s response at a scrum underlined the power and determination of the visitors pack as they pushed Clovers off their own scrum with a devastating example of power and technique.
The Irish side went down to 14 players when Ailish Quinn was yellow carded for a professional foul and fly half Hughes nailed the penalty to give Gwalia a three-point lead.
Clovers then hit back with superb solo try by Beibhinn Parsons that was converted by Breen to give the Irish side a14-10 lead.
Centre Alana McInerney crossed for a third Clovers try, converted by Breen, with the home side down to 14 players, to make it 21-10 at half-time.
After the break, Gwalia started well as they did in the first half but the TMO ruled Clovers captain Ruth Campbell had scored a try at the bottom of a pile of bodies.
Fly half Breen made it 28-10 after 50 minutes and Gwalia had a mountain to climb to realise their dream of a final.
Replacement Caitlin Lewis crossed for Gwalia’s second try in the corner to close the gap before Hopkins crashed over from short-range to make it 28-20 midway through the second half.
But a final and second try by McInerney converted by Breen sealed the win for Clovers.