Celtic Challenge: Brython Thunder 14-0 Wolfhounds – hosts stun leaders

Brython Thunder stunned Celtic Challenge leaders Wolfhounds with a 14-0 win over the Irish side at Parc y Scarlets.

Wolfhounds notched up 11 tries in a 69-0 win when the two sides met a month ago, but they rarely threatened in challenging conditions in west Wales.

Thunder took a surprise lead when Amy Williams sprinted clear of two Wolfhounds defenders after brilliant offloads on halfway from Kate Williams and Jorja Aiona.

The upset was well and truly on when Savannah Picton-Powell carved through the Wolfhounds defence after the Irish side gifted Thunder an attacking platform with a knock-on in their own 22.

Wolfhounds were fortunate to remain at full strength after Maggie Boylan’s high tackle on her opposite number Mabli Evans went unpunished, with replays showing contact on the Thunder wing’s head.

Minutes later, Evans knocked the ball forward a metre from her own try-line, but after the resulting scrum a well-timed jackal from Aiona won Thunder a penalty – which was celebrated like a try.

Conditions worsened in final 15 minutes, with handling errors from both sides slowing down the pace of the game.

But the tired legs of Thunder held on, as Wolfhounds were kept scoreless for the first time in the Celtic Challenge.

Brython Thunder will move above Glasgow Warriors if the Scottish side are beaten by Gwalia Lightning later on Saturday.

Meanwhile defeat for Wolfhounds opens the door for Clovers to close the gap at the top of the Celtic Challenge table.