Clovers Secure Home Semi-Final; Scottish Sides Fall in Celtic Challenge
In a decisive round of the Celtic Challenge play-offs, Clovers have secured a home semi-final berth. They triumphed over Edinburgh with a final score of 43-26 despite Edinburgh’s commendable efforts to earn a losing bonus point.
Edinburgh’s Struggles
Edinburgh started strong, scoring first through Cat Moody. However, mistakes in their own territory led to three turnovers, allowing Clovers to capitalize with quick tries from Beibhinn Parsons, Beth Buttimer, and Ruth Campbell. Despite a debut try from full-back Bethan Mathieson, Edinburgh couldn’t keep pace with Clovers.
Clovers’ Dominance
The Clovers continued to dominate the field. Additional tries from Eilis Cahill, Buttimer, Anna McGann, and Aoibheann McGrath established a comfortable lead. Although Edinburgh’s Scarlott Haddow and Adelle Ferrie managed to score late tries, it was not enough to change the outcome.
Glasgow’s Heavy Defeat
Across the West, Glasgow faced a challenging match against Brython Thunder, suffering a 32-10 defeat at Scotstoun. The Thunder took control early with a try from Lisa Neumann, followed by a second try from winger Seren Singleton.
Warrriors’ Brief Response
Although Millie Warren scored a penalty for the Warriors before half-time, Brython didn’t relent. They extended their lead with a third try from Hanna Marshall shortly after the interval. Mabli Evans scored a bonus point try, followed by another from Seren Lockwood, leaving Glasgow trailing significantly.
Final Play Insights
Hannah Smyth scored one consolation try for Glasgow, but Brython Thunder capped off their victory with a sixth try from Ellie Tromans. The outcomes leave Clovers and Wolfhounds, both Irish sides, positioned for home semi-finals. Edinburgh remains at the bottom of the table, with Glasgow just above them.
Key Match Statistics
| Team | Score | Key Players |
|---|---|---|
| Clovers | 43 | Beibhinn Parsons, Eilis Cahill |
| Edinburgh | 26 | Cat Moody, Bethan Mathieson |
| Brython Thunder | 32 | Lisa Neumann, Seren Singleton |
| Glasgow | 10 | Millie Warren, Hannah Smyth |
The matches showcased exciting play and pivotal moments, setting the stage for the upcoming semi-finals in the Celtic Challenge. Fans will be eager to see how the teams regroup and prepare for the next challenges ahead.
