Nine-try Clovers beat Lightning in Celtic finale
Celtic ChallengeGwalia Lightning (12) 33Tries: Hopkins, Lewis, Webster, Pyrs, Bell Cons: Hughes 4Clovers (34) 55Tries: Barrett, Nic a Bháird 2, Oviawe, Reilly, Buttimer, McGann, Breen, Adams Cons: Fowley 3, Finn 2
Irish side Clovers ensured a second-place Celtic Challenge finish as they won comfortably with a nine-tries-to-five win against hosts Gwalia Lightning at Ystrad Mynach.Lightning finished third in the table after conceding six first-half tries and three more after the break, five of which were converted.After Sophie Barrett's opener, Gwennan Hopkins hit back. Clovers went back in front through Deirbhile Nic a Bháird, with Faith Oviawe adding their third. Scrum-half Aoibheann Reilly went over for the visitors' bonus-point try and Lightning responded with wing Caitlin Lewis' interception score.But Clovers underlined their first-half superiority with Nic a Bháird's second score before Beth Buttimer crossed for their sixth, giving them a 34-12 lead at the break.Gwalia's impressive response brought touchdowns for Kelsie Webster and Alaw Pyrs to earn a bonus point.But Clovers' Anna McGann, who scored a hat-trick against Edinburgh last week, was on the hunt for another Irish try and got it, with Jemima Adams and captain Enya Breen also going over.Gwalia's Freya Bell scored the final try, but the result had long been decided.Elsewhere, defending champions Wolfhounds beat Edinburgh 102-0 to successfully retain the title.
Gwalia captain Bryonie King told BBC Sport Wales:"The Irish teams have a lot of internationals playing for them, and we know what they can do and how much damage they can cause. "I did think we showed a point out there as Gwalia, we stayed in the fight until the very end and we came away with a try to finish the game off, so we are proud of that."We aimed for that top spot, second spot, but overall we are happy with where we are, it is a massive point proven on how talented Welsh rugby is. I'm so proud to be a part of Gwalia."Gwennan Hopkins added:"Both Irish sides are professional and they are contracted, so that physicality is massive. It is definitely a work-on for us. It's something we can key point and breakthrough for next season."We are all really young, and we have been playing on the pathway together and now some of us are getting to the national squad. It's building those relationships on and off the field, and it has been great we are as close off the field, as we are on the field. "That's really special because by the end of the season you are playing for the girls not just for Gwalia."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
25 minutes ago
- Wales Online
Today's rugby news as Lions put Williams replacement on standby and Warburton raves about emerging star
Today's rugby news as Lions put Williams replacement on standby and Warburton raves about emerging star The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world Tomos Williams of the British & Irish Lions is assisted from the field during their match against the Western Force (Image: AP Photo/Trevor Collens ) These are your rugby headlines on Sunday, June 29. Lions put scrum-half replacement on standby The British and Irish Lions are on standby to call up a replacement scrum-half after Tomos Williams suffered a hamstring injury during the 40-22 win over the Western Force in Perth, according to the Mail. Williams, who scored two tries at Optus Stadium, was forced off in the second half clutching his hamstring and now faces an anxious wait for medical results. Head coach Andy Farrell said a decision on his availability will be made after further assessment. 'Tomos has come off holding his hamstring,' Farrell said post-match. 'We'll only know more in the morning. You've got to let these things settle down and give it some space. We need to assess it properly and make the right call for the group.' The Mail say Scotland's Ben White is the most likely candidate to be called up if Williams is ruled out. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. White is currently on tour with Scotland in New Zealand and could link up with the Lions squad in Brisbane by Sunday night if required. Article continues below There was some relief for Farrell, however, with fellow scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park confirmed as fit to return for Wednesday's clash against the Queensland Reds. Warburton: Pollock can become 'complete player' Sam Warburton believes Henry Pollock is not far way from being a "complete player". Pollock was impressive from the off for the Lions against Western Force on Saturday, playing a key part in their eight-try win in Perth. The youngster's rise has been incredible, with the 20-year-old now playing at the elite level of rugby, despite only being on the international scene for a matter of months. His display against Force wasn't perfect, Warburton admitted, but the former Lions skipper says Pollock has all the raw materials and that he can be coached out of the mistakes. "Pollock showed everything he is brilliant at - that linebreak ability, his energy in attack and defence," two-time Lions captain Warburton told Sky Sports. "The longer the tour goes on, the specialty at playing back row - breakdown, physicality, collision dominance - comes into play more, that is where the likes of Tom Curry have got a little bit of an edge. "I still think the back-row selection is wide open. There isn't a set three, it's still all to play for, but Pollock brings something no one else does. "He has got some good moments, and there was even good news about the yellow card and penalty given against him, because that's easy to coach out. "You cannot give someone pace or the ability to beat a man, but you can coach some of the simple mistakes that every 20-year-old back-rower makes. "If you can get him more measured at breakdown defence then you've got a pretty complete player." Japan endure a hiding a week before Wales clash A Japan XV suffered a heavy 53-20 defeat to the Moari All Blacks in Tokyo. Wales face Japan in Kitakyushu next Saturday in the first of a two-Test series. Matt Sherratt's side will be hoping to end a record run of 17 Test defeats on the bounce against a Japan side coached by Eddie Jones. Japan led 17-15 at half-time but the Maori All Blacks ran in six tries in what was a ruthless second-half performance by Ross Filipo's men. "Let's not connect this game with next week," Japan coach Jones told Rugby "This was Japan XV. Next week is Japan. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. "If we need to give the ball back to Wales we need to do it in a difficult situation." Wales will be confident of coming out on top next week but Japan do have a habit of bouncing back from a heavy defeat. Last year Japan XV lost 36-10 to the Maori All Blacks before beating the same opponent 26-14 a week later. Wates appointed chair of RFU By PA Sport Staff Sir James Wates CBE has been appointed chair of the Rugby Football Union board. He takes over the role from Sir Bill Beaumont, who was named chair on an interim basis in December last year following the resignation of Tom Ilube. Wates is currently a board director of the Wates Group, a privately-owned construction, development and property service company in the UK and served as chairman between 2013 and 2023. A statement from the RFU said: 'Sir James has had a distinguished career in the construction and business sectors, marked by significant leadership roles and contributions to industry standards and charitable causes. 'He brings extensive leadership experience to the RFU alongside a deep love of the game of rugby, stretching back to his early playing days.' Speaking about his new role, Wates said: 'It is a true honour to be named chair of the board of the RFU, and I can't wait to get started. Article continues below 'English Rugby is steeped in legacy and history, and it is a history that the country should be proud of, while also being excited about what is to come. 'Later this year, we have the Women's Rugby World Cup hosted across England and I am looking forward to this happening so soon into my tenure. 'I will do my upmost to maximise the growth of the game, with the support of the RFU board and wider team in the years ahead and engaging as much as possible in the rugby community at all levels across England.'
Wales Online
41 minutes ago
- Wales Online
Welsh tennis ace now mega rich with own yacht business after famous win over Wimbledon star
Welsh tennis ace now mega rich with own yacht business after famous win over Wimbledon star Welsh star Ian Flanagan was once hailed as one of the UK's brightest tennis players, yet after injury curtailed his career at just 22 he has built a business that is on its way to being worth £1billion Ian Flanagan beat Mark Philippoussis in 2004 (Image: Getty ) Ian Flanagan, once a rising star in British tennis, is now at the head a burgeoning business with a projected value of £800million. Originating from Graianrhyd, Wales, his potential as a future Grand Slam contender was cut short by injuries at 22. Flanagan has since founded a Manchester-based yacht accounting software firm. His enterprise, Voly, started in 2016 and is renowned as a financial management solution for superyacht owners, but Flanagan's career trajectory could have diverged significantly. He was a junior tennis prodigy at age 15, with his gold medal victory at the Youth Olympics in 1996 cemented his budding status. Yet it was his upset over Wimbledon 2003 finalist, Mark Philippoussis, at Queen's Club in 2004 that truly put the limelight on Flanagan. The now 43-year-old has recently shared insights about his transition from tennis professional to a high-flying business guru, reports the Express. "I got injured and had to stop, but I'd always been somewhat entrepreneurial," he told Insider recently. "Even as a kid, I loved figuring out ways to make money." Today, Voly stands distinct as a robust brand, and what began as an eight-person team has expanded to a workforce of 130, addressing clients globally. Flanagan's current ambition is directed towards propelling Voly to the prestigious £1billion mark. Article continues below He explained the origins of his enterprise, adding: "We recognised a gap in the market to professionalise yacht management, knowing that while captains are experts at navigation, they aren't CFOs or finance directors." Despite beating ex-Romanian star Victor Hanescu, after the huge victory over Philippoussis, Flanagan was sensationally denied a wildcard into Wimbledon in 2004. "It was unbelievable that I didn't get a Wimbledon wildcard. The LTA [Lawn Tennis Association] need to take a good hard look at themselves,' he told the BBC at the time. Flanagan made a splash early on in his tennis career (Image: Getty ) Nevertheless, Flanagan has come to view his past achievements with a sense of fulfillment, acknowledging that he's "been there, done that." Yet he credits the traits honed on the tennis courts as the driving forces behind his current success. "The most important factor that got me here and helped me build the company is a relentless need to win," he added. "I hate losing. I don't even let my kids win when we play football, tennis, cricket, or even Dobble. The day they beat me, they'll know it's because they did it fair and square. Article continues below "That competitive streak has pushed me through setbacks like failed investments and business ventures which haven't worked out. In professional tennis, you don't win every match. You lose, lose, win, win again, lose again, then win. It's a cycle, and business is similar." And he managed to squeeze in a tennis analogy while expressing his ambition to excel in business. "If you sit back and say, 'That's a great business, I'll rest on my laurels,' you end up losing," he added. "Take Carlos Alcaraz this weekend. If he stops training for six to 12 weeks, he's not going to win Wimbledon. He won't be in shape, he won't be ready."
Wales Online
3 hours ago
- Wales Online
Wales skipper Dewi Lake ignoring Welsh rugby drama as he issues warning
Wales skipper Dewi Lake ignoring Welsh rugby drama as he issues warning Dewi Lake says players' minds will be on beating Japan and nothing else Wales skipper Dewi Lake is firmly focused on the job in hand (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) Tangible positives have been few and far between for Welsh rugby in the last couple of years. A 17-Test losing run ended up costing Warren Gatland his job, while off-field issues continue to dominate. By the time Wales return from Japan in a couple of weeks, there could well be movement on the number of professional teams in Wales. Like the near-two-year stretch without an international victory, the politics in Welsh rugby can be painfully all-consuming; a miserable cloak that envelops the game. Yet, for one of the few positives Welsh rugby has uncovered in recent years, that uncertainty is far from the focus. Dewi Lake has long been tipped for a bright future in the Test game. Were it not for injury, the Ospreys hooker would have double the caps and perhaps even be touring Australia this summer rather than Japan. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. 'It's tough,' says Lake philosophically about his injuries. 'Things happen for a reason I guess.' Article continues below At the World Cup two years ago, Lake and fellow Osprey Jac Morgan captured the imagination as youthful co-captains in France. A year ago, in Australia, Lake again led with aplomb. One of the main positives from that tour was how Lake carried himself as Wales' creeped towards double figures. While Gatland searched for external factors, like referees, for the defeats, Lake wouldn't have dreamed of offering up an excuse Down Under. A year on, with Welsh rugby a year unhealthier, it's more of the same from the young captain. Even with his club's future up in the air, there's just one thing on Lake's mind: ending the losing run that has tormented Wales for nearly two years. "We've got a job to do,' says Lake. 'If we're thinking about all that which is going on, we're not 100 per cent focused on the rugby. 'And we've got to be 100 per cent focused on the rugby. So we're heads down and thinking about Japan." Even the search for a new head coach, still ongoing four months after Gatland's mid-Six Nations departure, doesn't concern Lake. "Not for us as players,' he says. 'We know the job we've got to do with the task at hand. 'That's not to think about what's down the line. If we go out there and don't do a job, we might not be here for the next round of coaches. There's no point in worrying or dwelling on that. 'It's not our decision to make. We've got no say in the matter. 'We can just focus on the rugby and the task at hand, which is to win a Test match. That's what we've all been speaking about.' Even without a permanent appointment, Wales head to Japan with some icons in their coaching ticket. Tighthead legend Adam Jones once again returns after helping the scrum in the Six Nations, while another legendary prop, Gethin Jenkins, is back in the national team set-up. Former full-back Leigh Halfpenny is also involved for the first time. "They can take their boots with them if they want!' jokes Lake. 'I played with Leigh and his leadership out in the World Cup was unbelievable, especially for me as a young captain doing it for the first time. 'Being able to have him by my side was class. Having him here again is amazing. 'We all know what kind of player he was. His expertise has always been kicking, so to have him in on that front is massive. 'The same with Adam and Gethin in their respective fields. The scrum in the Six Nations went very well. 'Bomb's brought that same energy to this campaign. We're excited for that prospect. 'And Gethin coming in to do defence, he's done well at Cardiff this season. Their defensive policies have been strong. 'It's been a bit different for a few of us at different clubs, but we're all melding on that now and we're very excited of the prospect of those three." Again, there's just one thing in the agenda for Lake. 'It's pointless looking ahead,' he adds. 'We know what we've got to do in the summer. It's going to be a tough test. All focus is on the here and now, really. We've got to do that in Japan. 'We're by no means underestimating the edge they're going to bring. They're a dangerous side and they've caused a lot of upsets in very recent memory. 'They're 13th for a reason and we're 12th for a reason so it's going to be a big battle once we get out there. They're playing on home soil so I'm sure they'll take a lot of confidence in that.' He adds: 'We know the style of rugby they like to play. We know they play with very quick ball. 'I think they're fourth in the top 12 for attacking speed of ball. That's no poor stat, to be fourth in the top 12. 'We know it's our job to slow it down. They'll want to play with speed. That'll stress our defence, but that's our job to slow it down, put a stop to them and make sure we can be the dominant team out there. "On the defensive front, if you're winning collisions defensively, it's tough to get speed of ball. If we can do a job at source and up front, if their lineout delivery isn't as smooth or the scrum takes a bit longer, anything we can do to slow their game down and play the games on our terms, we're going to attempt to do that. Article continues below 'Dominance is a big part of that. But we understand what they're going to bring." 'This group has a job to do on the back of a big losing run. We've got to go out there and set things right."
