Wolfhounds 36 Brython Thunder 10
Brython Thunder went down in the Celtic Challenge semi-final to the favourites to lift silverware Wolfhounds at the Dexcom Stadium, Galway on Saturday afternoon.
This was the second of a unique double-header of semi-finals of the new expanded Celtic Challenge.
Wolfhounds have dominated the Celtic Challenge since the league’s inception and this was always going to be a major challenge for the Thunder.
But the game did see Wales flanker Alisha Joyce return to rugby 123 days after the birth of her son Ralphie.
Butch came on as a 51st minute replacement wearing the number 20 jersey to join her partner Jasmine Joyce as they both made their Brython Thunder and Celtic Challenge debuts.
Thunder came into this clash as the only side to have beaten the reigning and back-to-back and league leaders of the Celtic Challenge.
The Welsh side had real momentum and confidence and had won their last five games on the bounce in the league.
But a blistering opening quarter by the Irish side saw the cross for three tries and establish a 17-0 lead and set an uphill task for the Welsh side.
Wales international backrower Branwen Metcalfe and impressive Number 8 Jorja Aiono did cross for a late tries for Brython try but it was the reigning champions day.
Wolfhounds got off to a flyer when lock Naoise Smyth crashed over from short-range and Dannah O’Brien added the conversion to make it 7-0 on the third minute.
Full back Stacey Flood crossed for a second try in the corner to stretch the Irish side’s lead to 12-0 after ten minutes.
Flood then scored her second and Wolfhounds third try on the other wing to give the reigning champions a 17-0 lead.
Centre Hannah Bluck was an early replacement for the injured Savannah Picton-Powell and soon made a break half the length of the field for Brython.
The Welsh side finally got a foothold in the game with some territory and possession but centre Eve Higgins soon crossed for Wolfhounds fourth try.
Wing Vicky Elmes Kinlan the crossed for a breakaway try to extend Wolfhounds lead to 31-0 at half-time.
After the break, it was nip and tuck but Wolfhounds crossed for a try by wing Robyn Connor but Metcalfe did cross for Brython’s try in the dying moments and Number 6 Aiono followed to finish with points on the board.