Glasgow Warriors 17 – 33 Brython Thunder

Brython Thunder take the win of round 9 at Scotstoun after an incredibly physical game that kept everyone on their toes all the way to the last minute

What looked to be a cloudy match ahead at Scotstoun turned into a lovely sunny afternoon just in time for kick off. Glasgow were the ones to kick off the match and were looking to keep the game in play in the visitors half.

Brython recovered possession of the ball however, the momentum was cut short after a knock on from their side which gave Glasgow the scrum. The Welsh were quick to overturn the possession post scrum and entering Glasgow’s 22 to attack their half. Poppy Mellanby was quick to put an end on Brython’s offensive play with a great tackle.

Brython were not giving up and kept at it just before the Glasgow try-line, Warriors kept denying them the option to score and kept them away with an incredible defence. Mairi McDonald, quick in reaction, attempted an attack on the restart running away from Glasgow’s own 22 into half way through the field to then pass it to the wing, however the loose ball fell into the opposition’s hand.

Ten minutes in the visitors were looking to get that first try however it was held up by the home side. Briar McNamara restarted the play kicking away from their half. Nonetheless, Brython were given possession back after a high tackle from Warriors and decided to kick to gain some territory.

The first points of the afternoon came after fifteen minutes of intense battling, Brython Thunder opened up the score with Gwenn Crabb crossing the home-side try line and Niamh Terry adding the conversion [ 0-7]

Wanting to fight back immediately Warriors found themselves offside on defence which gave Brython the ball, which was kicked to the corner in attempt to get close to Glasgow’s try line.

The Welsh side touched down a second try after a successful line-out and maul which was able to push into Glasgow’s in goal. Crabb landed her second try of the afternoon, conversion was again successful by Terry [0—14]

Brython were on the lookout for another attack after their lineout however a knock on from their side gives Warriors possession for the scrum. Glasgow’s lineout thrown in by Megan Hyland set Warriors to attack, Mairi McDonald kicks to move the game into the Welsh side. A foul on the visitors side gives Briar McNamara the chance to kick to corner for a dangerous Glasgow lineout on the opposition’s 5m line.

Just before half time Warriors managed to get that first try. Briar McNamara, found momentum while carrying the ball and pushed away from three Welsh defenders while crossing the try-line. McNamara was also the one who got the conversion to add those two extra points in the scoreboard. [ 7-14]

The Welsh responded immediately with a try from Ellie Tromans who was able to find a gap on the Glasgow defence line and ran in between the posts, this time conversion was kicked by Hannah Marshall [7-21]

Half time at Scotstoun and Brython Thunder were leading into the break with a score of 21- 7.

After the break, we immediately saw Warrior’s trying to come back into the match pushing their way to the opposition’s tryline, unfortunately a knock on put an end to that move and Brython were able to clear the ball away. Poppy Mellanby looked to make an impact into the Welsh side with a really good breakthrough, nonetheless the ball gets passed to Ceitidh Ainsworth for her to kick to gain some territory but it gets answered right back into the Glasgow half.

Mairi McDonald at scrum half was looking to speed the game up and did so successfully setting Abi Evans up on the wing to cross Brython’s try-line at the wing. Conversion unsuccessful this time by McNamara. [12-21]

After the restart Brython got the lineout which they were wanting to use on attack of Warriors try line. Glasgow however, stayed great in defence and won the ball in the maul after a Brighton knock on, giving McDonald the ball for the scrum.

The visiting side was reactive to regain possession of the ball after the scrum and attacked their way into the Warriors end, taking advantage of a gap midfield Rosie Carr ran away and landed the ball for Brython’s fourth try of the match. Conversion by Marshall was missed. [12-26]

The last ten minutes of the game were tense and fiercely fought where we saw one try from each team. Roma Fraser gave Warriors an incredible third try, in which she ran from her own half of the field all the way over the opposition’s tryline, dodging and pushing away every player that came her way. Conversion was unsuccessful once again. [17- 26]

With a minute before full time Brython managed to get a final try and hat-trick by Crabb and conversion by Marshall, making the score Glasgow Warriors 17-33 Brython Thunder at the full time whistle.

Glasgow Warrior’s head coach Lindsey Smith shared her post match thoughts:

“Overall disappointed with the result but we have got one more week of the Celtic Challenge to show what we are all about.

“We have Brython again next week, we need to prepare as they have backed up their strength with 4 or 5 internationals in the team so, it is something we need to fight against as our girls have no experience that kind of level, but it is not an excuse, they are lessons that we need to identity and turn around.

“Can’t fault the effort from some of the girls, Poppy Mellanby, youngest girl on the field and probably the bravest player we’ve got out there, 17-year old school girl and she tackles everything that comes down her channel. Freya Walker, Ailie Tucker and Briar McNamara also made a difference were great leads for team.”