Wolfhounds Secure Final Spot with Convincing Win Over Thunder
Ireland sevens star and player of the match Eve Higgins was among the try-scorers as the Wolfhounds secured a 36-10 victory over Brython Thunder, booking their place in the Celtic Challenge final alongside fellow Irish side Clovers.
The reigning champions delivered a commanding performance at Dexcom Stadium, crossing the try line six times. Full-back Stacey Flood scored two tries in the first half, while lock Naoise Smyth, centre Eve Higgins, and wing Vicky Elmes Kinlan also contributed to a dominant opening period.
Wing Robyn O'Connor added her name to the scoresheet in the second half, which saw a more competitive Thunder side. Thunder's flanker Branwen Metcalfe and number eight Jorja Aiono scored late tries during a late rally.
Wolfhounds will face Clovers in the final at Edinburgh's Hive Stadium on Saturday, 28 March at 15:00 GMT, aiming to claim their third consecutive title.
Match Overview
Thunder arrived in sunny Galway with confidence, having won their last five games, including a 14-0 victory over the Wolfhounds in Llanelli. However, the Irish side quickly asserted their dominance. Smyth broke free from a tackle to score after just three minutes.
Flood followed with a try after Wolfhounds exploited numbers on the blindside for an easy run-in. Flood then scored again on the opposite wing as Thunder struggled to match the Wolfhounds' ruck speed.
Higgins secured the bonus-point try inside the first half-hour, using her sevens experience to spot a gap in the ruck, execute a dummy, and charge to the line.
Thunder enjoyed a spell of pressure with strong carries from Stella Orrin, Natalia John, and Jorja Aiono but failed to convert this into points as they left Wolfhounds' 22 empty-handed.
The hosts demonstrated clinical finishing when Flood charged down Hannah Marshall's kick and quickly passed to Kinlan, who scored the fifth try.
Second Half and Closing Stages
After the break, Thunder showed greater resistance. Even with Wolfhounds prop Sophie Barrett in the sin bin, Thunder could not find a way to score initially. They defended narrowly at times, which allowed O'Connor space to score the opening try of the second half.
Thunder continued to press and were eventually rewarded 10 minutes from time when Metcalfe powered over from close range.
Wolfhounds lost Regan Casey to the sin bin late in the match due to disciplinary issues. Thunder capitalized with teenager Aiono making a strong run from the base of the scrum to score the final try.
It was an industrious performance from the champions, but Thunder can take encouragement from their progress, especially considering they lost 69-0 on their previous visit to face the Wolfhounds.
Team Lineups
Wolfhounds: Flood; O'Connor, Dalton (capt), Higgins, Kinlan; O'Brien, Connor; Djougang, Daley, Barrett, Jordan, Smyth, Tuite, Moore, King
Replacements: Delaney, Wilson, Molloy, Ni Choncobhair, Casey, Gaffney, Moyles, Larn
Sin bin: Barrett (39), Casey (77)
Brython Thunder: Neumann; Singleton, Keight, Picton-Powell, J Joyce; Marshall, Lockwood; Orrin, S Williams, Jones, Crabb (capt), John, Metcalfe, Isaac, Aiono
Replacements: Bowden, L Williams, Lewis, Davies, A Joyce, Wilkinson, Bluck, Evans
Broadcast Information
All Gwalia Lightning and Brython Thunder games are available to watch live on BBC and the website and app.
