Gwalia Lightning made it back-to-back wins against Edinburgh Rugby in Round 5 of the Celtic Challenge at the Hive Stadium on Saturday afternoon with a thumping 43-7 victory.
The bonus-point win made it two victories over the Scots side during this campaign and a fourth win on the trot against Edinburgh.
Gwalia Lightning kept the pressure on reigning champions Wolfhounds with this win and set up a mouthwatering clash when both sides meet in a top of the table clash in Round 6 next weekend.
The young Welsh side produced an impressive and commanding performance away from home in Scotland and were well worth this victory.
Lightning brought a physical edge, offloading game and phase-play proved too much for a good Edinburgh side.
Prop Maisie Davies and lock Lily Terry crossed or two tries each, and skipper Bryonie King, scrum half Sian Jones, and full back Catherine Richards crossed for the visitors seven tries.
The Lightning headed into this clash only three points behinds the league leaders and with the Irish sides in their sights. The Welsh side dominated the opening exchanges and returning Wales prop Jenni Scoble was held up over the home side’s try line.
Wing Courtney Greenway latched onto a deft grubber kick fly half Hughes and looked to have been blocked getting the ball but the officials ruled otherwise.
A stretched Edinburgh defence held firm but the Welsh side would not be denied and Wales prop Davies crashed over for the try after 20 minutes to make it 5-0 to the visitors.
Edinburgh then replied after a period pressure after they were awarded a penalty try after Gwalia were ruled to have collapsed a maul to make it 7-5 to the home side.
Gwalia openside flanker Anwen Owen was shown yellow and the visitors were down to 14 players.
But Lightning hit back straight away when prop Davies started and finished Gwalia’s second try to put the Welsh side ahead. Fly half Hughes added the conversion to make it 12-7 to Gwalia Lightning at half-time.
After the break, Gwalia started the second half as they finished the first with skipper King crashing over after an impressive drive.
Fly half Hughes added the extras to make it 19-7 to the visitors before Wales scrum half Jones latched onto a loose ball from a five metre scrum to stretch Gwalia’s lead.
Lock Terry then ran in for a try after a deft offload by captain King to cross the whitewash. Hughes landed the conversion to make it 31-7.
Terry crossed for her second try after her charge down and her quick reaction saw her win the race for the touchdown.
Wales international Catherine Richards sealed the win with Gwalia’s seventh try and conversion to cap an impressive victory.
Gwalia Lightning travel to Ireland to face Wolfhounds at Virgin Media Park on Saturday, February 2 (kick-off 12.30pm).
