Wolfhounds hammer Thunder to boost title defence

Celtic Challenge

Brython Thunder (0) 0

Wolfhounds (31) 48

Tries: Clenaghan, Boyne, Larn, Higgins, Dalton, Heffernan, Boles, Roberts Cons: O'Brien 3, Flood

Wolfhounds stormed to an eight-try victory over Brython Thunder to boost their Celtic Challenge title defence.

The Irish visitors had the bonus point wrapped up by half-time, with Maebh Clenaghan, Molly Boyne, Amy Larn and Eve Higgins going over, before Aoife Dalton scored in controversial circumstances.

Katie Heffernan, Claire Boles and Ella Roberts added their names to the scoresheet after the break as the hosts showed signs of improvement.

Wolfhounds have now won three from four, after their opening round defeat by Clovers, and keep pressure on leaders Edinburgh.

Thunder are still searching for their first win of the competition, but have two losing bonus points to show for their efforts.

Wolfhounds had all the early pressure and were on the scoreboard inside three minutes.

It came from a well-drilled driving line-out and a solid maul which saw Clenaghan driven over the line.

Filled with confidence, the visitors continued to turn down kickable points and while the maul was initially well defended, Wolfhounds recycled well and Boyne went over from close range.

A third try came on the 15 minute mark as Ireland fly-half Danna O'Brien pulled the strings - this time it was an opportunity for the backs to show their skills, the ball was shipped from one side of the field to the other with Paris Sevens Olympian Larn finishing on the overlap.

Thunder then began to show some promise with a clean line break from Hannah Bluck almost leading to a try for pacey winger Eleanor Hing, but the ball was turned over at the crucial moment.

Thunder reasserted their dominance and secured the bonus-point five minutes before the break through powerful centre Higgins, who shrugged off some weak tackling to cross.

A fifth try came in the final play of the half and it was unfortunate for the hosts.

Thunder scrum-half Seren Singleton saw the stadium clock on 40 minutes and kicked the ball out, but the clock had not been stopped for injuries and there was still time for Wolfhounds to launch one final attack.

Line-out ball came out to powerful lock Alma Atagamen, who made good ground before the ball was released out to Dalton to weave her way over the line.

Thunder looked bright after the break, with early replacements making an instant impact, notably Wales Under-20s fly-half Hanna Marshall, but Wolfhounds again struck first.

A solid scrum on the halfway line provided a good attacking platform and a looping pass out wide saw Stacey Flood run deep into Thunder territory before offloading to Heffernan to cross in the tightest of corners.

Thunder continued to improve, with skipper Natalia John working tirelessly, but there was no way through the Irish defence.

Wolfhounds in contrast were clinical on their visits to the 22, with a five metre driving line-out starting the attack, which saw the other captain Boles step back inside to take the score beyond 40 points for the second week running.

Roberts, who was back in the side this week, rounded off the scoring after a looping pass from Flood gave her acres of space on her wing.

Flood was just short with the touchline conversion, but she was deservedly named player of the match.

Brython Thunder: Hannah Lane; Ellie Tromans, Hannah Bluck, Meg Webb, Eleanor Hing, Niamh Terry, Seren Singleton; Lowri Williams, Poppy Hughes, Katie Carr, Robyn Davies, Natalia John (capt), Kira Philpott, Lucy Isaac, Jess Rogers

Replacements: Chloe Gant, Meg Lewis, Cadi Lois Davies, Anna Davies, Anna Stowell, Hanna Marshall, Savannah Picton-Powell, Ffion Davies.

Wolfhounds: Stacey Flood; Ella Roberts, Aoife Dalton, Eve Higgins, Amy Larn; Danna O'Brien, Jade Gaffney; Niamh O'Dowd, Maebh Clenaghan, Linda Djougang, Alma Atagamen, Cliodhna Ni Chonchobhair, Molly Boyne, Claire Boles (capt), Erin King

Replacements: Kelly Burke, Tricia Doyle, Chrisy Haney, Ciara Short, Caoimhe Molloy, Rachael McIlroy, Leah Tarpey, Katie Heffernan.