Thunder Secure Narrow Victory Over Lightning in Welsh Derby
Number eight Jorja Aiono has been a key player for Brython Thunder and has earned a place in Wales' Six Nations training squad.
Tries: Metcalfe Cons: Marshall Pens:
Brython Thunder emerged victorious in a hard-fought Welsh Celtic Challenge derby against Gwalia Lightning. Despite the win, Thunder will travel to face league leaders Wolfhounds in the semi-finals.
Thunder secured a late surge into the play-offs with four consecutive wins and required a bonus-point victory in Llanelli to overtake Lightning into third place.
Wales back row and player of the match Branwen Metcalfe gave Thunder an ideal start, but, similar to the persistent drizzle in west Wales, the tries soon ceased.
Lightning nearly secured a draw at the final moments when an undisciplined Thunder side was reduced to 13 players; however, the ball was knocked on over the try-line, denying them the opportunity.
This result means Lightning, now on a five-game losing streak, will face second-place Clovers in the semi-finals. Both semi-final matches are scheduled to take place in Galway on 21 March.
The grand final is set to be hosted at Edinburgh's Hive Stadium one week later.
Other Celtic Challenge Results
Wolfhounds delivered a dominant performance against Clovers in the Celtic Challenge.
Gloucester-Hartpury defeated Chiefs to reclaim the top spot.
Team Line-ups
Brython Thunder: Tromans' Evans, Picton-Powell, Keight, Singleton; Marshall, Lockwood; Orrin, S Williams, Jones, Crabb (capt), John, Metcalfe, Isaac, Aiono.
Replacements: Bowden, L Williams, Lewis, R Davies, Wakley, Rogers, Bluck, F Davies.
Gwalia Lightning: Richards (co-capt), Greenway, Webster, Anderson-Thomas, Lewis; Hughes, Jones; Thomas-Bradley, Reardon (co-capt), Scoble, Pyrs, Fleming, Pearce, Owen, Hopkins.
Replacements: Korsak, James, Cuming, Stewart, King, Williams, McMullen, Prothero.
