Brython Thunder 34-22 Glasgow Warriors

One last battle, one last round of the Celtic Challenge. A sunny afternoon in Llanelli. The hosts were the ones to kick off this afternoon’s match, looking to go deep into the Glasgow side. Warriors catch it and kick it to the side searching to clear the pressure away.

Brython started early to push into the Warriors 22 but Gemma Bell managed to turn over the ball. After a foul on the Glasgow side, Brython kicked to the corner and were once again looking to cross that tryline.

The first try of the afternoon fell four minutes in by Eleanor Hing, who opened up the score for Brython after entering the try zone on the wing, conversion unsuccessful by Hannah Marshall [0-5]

Only ten minutes into the game, Katie Carr had to come off the bench to replace Cadi Lois Davies after having to be taken off the field for a knee injury.

Nearing the 15 minute mark, Brython got a penalty in their favour which they decided to kick to the corner. Followed with a successful lineout which led Hannah Bluck to cross the try-line. This time, Marshall added the conversion points. [0-12]

A knock on from the hosts saw a momentum from Glasgow were they kicked for distance and then started to open the play up wide. Unfortunately, a foul on the Glasgow side stopped the play.

Not being demoralised from this, Glasgow won the scrum and went then to have a lineout on Brythons 22. Making the most out of the situation, Glasgow were able to send Nicole Flynn over the line into the Welsh in-goal area. Briar McNamara kicked to add the conversion [7-12]

The hosts seemed to be dominating as they were able to open up channels on the side for Hannah Lane to run over the Scottish try-line, and no longer after Gabby Halean. Marshall converted one out of the two conversions. [7-24]

Minutes before half time, things clicked for Glasgow and they started their comeback into the match. Pushing into the Welsh half forcing the mistake on the hosts side. Glasgow chose to scrum and then phase after phase, Emily Norval managed to touchdown on the opposition’s in goal area. Conversion points were not added. [12-24]

After the restart, Glasgow were still determined on attack mode, looking to utilise every minute left on the clock until the half time whistle. Warriors broke the Welsh defence line and Poppy Fletcher pushed her way over Brython’s try line to finish the first half strongly. Conversions unsuccessful by McNamara

The hosts went into half time with the lead, a seven-points margin which looked like; Glasgow Warriors 17-24 Brython Thunder was what separated the teams and everything was there to be played for in the second half.

Briar McNamara kicked off the second half of the game for Warriors. In what it was an even fight, where both teams were looking to add more points on the board quickly, Brython knocked the ball on. A successful Glasgow lineout followed after the mistake however, they were not able to capitalise on it and Brython turned it over.

Another injury to the Brython squad saw Ellie Tromans get replaced early by Ffion Davies after picking up what it seemed like a minor tweak on the knee. After the medics managed to get Tromans off the field, the hosts found that fifth try which was just placed on the corner of the in-goal by Catrin Jones. In this occasion, Marshall missed the conversion. [17-29]

Continuing their catching up, Warriors were the next ones to add points to their side with what it was an strength based try, Orla Proctor broke through the Welsh defenders and placed the ball over the opposition’s line. McNamara’s kick was deviated as it hit the posts. [22 – 29]

As we entered the last twenty minutes of the game, both teams were having spells of momentums but kept getting denied the chances for tries by the opposition.

Once the game was back on, the home side was after another try attempt but knocked the ball on, making Glasgow get the scrum. Warriors kicked the ball away post scrum and Brython who once again were driving into the Glasgow half, knocked the ball forward.

Followed from Brython’s last knock on, Glasgow won their scrum as the hosts did not drive straight. Hyland on the lineout throw in, which gets caught perfectly by Yeomans. McNamara managed to break through running into the welsh 5m line, however a loose pass to Evans lands away from the Warriors player.

Brython managed to counter back on the attack and got a try in the last few minutes of the game which pretty much secured the match for them as the clock struck 76’ minutes of match. Conversion unsuccessful by Marshall. [22-34]

Aisha Zameer came on to replace a leaping Kate Yeomans and pushed with everything for those last minutes of the game. Full time at Parcs Y Scarlets and the final match of the Celtic Challenge finished with a Welsh victory, Glasgow Warriors 22 – 34 Brython Thunder.

Post match thoughts from Glasgow Warriors’ head coach, Lindsey Smith:

“We scored four great tries, again showed what we can do when we move the ball, we were quite dangerous. There were still moments in which we switched off and still got punished for.

“We have definitely improved since the start of the competition to the end, we brought in some younger players which for me is very pleasing as you keep an eye on next year, for example today, Gemma Thompson making her debut off the bench, she is 17.

“Things like that are positives from today.

“Brython played well, deserved that win a bit more than we did today”