Glasgow Warriors 19-31 Gwalia Lightning

The match initially ebbed and flowed as both sides looked to assert their game plan but Glasgow Warriors were able to gain valuable territory following a fantastic 50:22 from full-back Poppy Mellanby.

The hosts started to creep towards the line, with Briar McNamara seeking a gap in the defence, but Gwalia Lightning were able to relieve the pressure as Alaw Pyrs ripped the ball out of the centre’s hands.

Moments later, Warriors launched another attack as a well-timed pass from McNamara provided the perfect platform for Sky Phimister, with the winger displaying her pace once again to run down the touchline and score (5-0).

Gwalia Lightning were close to scoring through Nikita Prothero as the winger sprinted down the wing but a try-saving tackle from both Mellanby and Phimister put a halt to the visitor’s attack.

As the clock approached 30 minutes, Gwalia Lightning were able to strike again and take the lead when Tilly Vujac crashed down to score, with Cary Hughes adding the extras (5-7).

Following another period of sustained pressure, Gwalia Lightning were seeking another try before the end of the first-half and were almost across the whitewash but a knock-on at the line brought their attempt to an end.

HALF-TIME: Glasgow Warriors 5-7 Gwalia Lightning

Glasgow Warriors enjoyed a brighter start to the second-half, as Freya Walker produced a scintillating attack as she weaved past the defence to score and bring the side back into the lead, with Ceitidh Ainsworth slotting through the conversion (12-7).

A few minutes later, Gwalia Lightning brought the score to a level as Molly Reardon dotted down on the back of a strong driving maul (12-12).

The Warriors’ response was swift as Hannah Smyth sidled through Gwalia’s defence to bring the hosts close to the line, with Gemma Bell eventually powering over the line to score and Ainsworth adding the extras (19-12).

Gwalia Lightning rallied, however, as an unfortunate knock-on allowed Courtney Greenway to collect the ball and canter down the pitch to score, with Hughes’ conversion bring the score back to a level once again (19-19).

Greenway kept her try-scoring momentum going, with the winger recording her second try on the 67^th minute of the match as Gwalia Lightning started to pull ahead in the game (19-24).

Despite Glasgow Warriors trying to mount a comeback, Gwalia Lightning displayed their dominance again as Greenway raced over to complete her hat-trick and Hughes slotting through the final conversion of the day (19-31).

Speaking after the match, Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Lindsey Smith said: “It was a bit of a frustrating match as we played well in parts, but we also didn’t look after the ball well enough and we got punished for it.

“It’s a learning experience for a lot of the players and they are still relatively young but overall there were some aspects that we were pretty pleased with today but we are still looking for that 80 minute performance.

“It was great to see the crowd turn out to Scotstoun today and see the players interacting with the kids on the pitch at the end too.”

FULL-TIME: Glasgow Warriors 19-31 Gwalia Lightning

Player of the Match: Courtney Greenway (Gwalia Lightning)