Gwalia Lightning still need to secure a play-off place after their return home saw them go down 19-14 to Irish side Clovers in Round 7 of the Celtic Challenge at Ystrad Mynach on Saturday afternoon.
The Lightning were third in the league table and two points behind Clovers with a top four play-off place in the Welsh side’s sight.
The Welsh side have three games to claim a play-off place in the new expanded Celtic Challenge and the losing point could be vital.
The Lightning are one of the favourites to finish in the top four and will need to get back to winning ways to secure home semi-final.
Teenage scrum half Lily Hawkins made her for start for Gwalia Lightning and was at the heart of bright opening by the home side.
But it was the Clovers after a sustained period of pressure that finally made the breakthrough when full back Aoife Corey crossed for the try.
Clover extended their lead midway through the first half when centre Alana McInerney split the homes side’s defence to race in a second score. Fly half half Siofra Hession added the conversion to make it 12-0 to the visitors.
Centre Molly Anderson Thomas split the visitors defence with a 40m solo break for the home side to begin a rally.
Lock Alaw Pyrs was hauled down just short of the line and Clovers went in 12-0 ahead at half-time.
After the break, Lightning brough they trademark physical edge to proceedings but Clovers crossed for a third try by centre Niamh Murphy.
Hession added the extras to make it 19-0 before replacement wing Greenway clawed the home side back into the game with a try.
Fly half Hughes added the conversion to make it 19-7 midway through the second period to make it a 12-point deficit.
Prop Hill then crashed over after a series of drives on Clovers line to scored a second try. Hughes added the conversion to make it 19-14.
The home side battled for their losing bonus point and still have all to play for with three games to play.
Gwalia’s next Celtic Challenge Round 8 clash is against Glasgow Warriors at Ystrad Mynach on Saturday, February 21st (kick-off 1pm).
