Clovers condemn Thunder to 16-try demolition

Celtic Challenge Round 8

Brython Thunder (0) 7

Try: C Jones Con: Marshall

Clovers (51) 94

Tries: Oviawe 2, Neill, Burke, Costigan 2, Gavin 2, Lane, penalty try, Heylmann McGann 2, Crowe, Moran, Buttimer Cons: Finn 2, Fowley 4

Clovers once again registered a comprehensive Celtic Challenge victory over Brython Thunder to keep their title hopes alive.

The Irish side, who ran out 58-0 winners at Kingspan Stadium earlier this month, proved even more clinical on Welsh soil.

The 16-try demolition began inside the opening minute with Faith Oviawe's barnstorming run from the halfway line at Parc y Scarlets.

Jane Neill and Grainne Burke powered over from close range as Thunder struggled to live with a team brimming with international class.

Their case was not helped when Hanna Marshall fluffed a couple of restarts, while her opposite number Catrin Finn ran the show.

Finn's grubber kick set up the bonus-point try for skipper Amee Leigh Costigan, while Emily Gavin had her forward pack to thank as she broke free from a powerful maul to cross.

Chisom Ugwueru's ripped ball was picked up by scrum-half Emily Lane who rightly backed her pace to the line.

Lane looked to be in for a second after another meandering run, but she was brought down by her hair a metre short, with opposite number Seren Singleton rightly shown a yellow card for cynical play.

Clovers had to work a little hard for Anna McGann's try as the sin bin seemed to galvanise Thunder's defence, but the ball eventually found its way out to the centre.

Thunder then enjoyed a five minute spell of pressure before half-time with their scrum enjoying some dominance, but despite forcing several penalties there was no reward for their efforts as they headed down the tunnel trailing 51-0.

Clovers once against burst out of the blocks after the break, with Sasha Crowe storming down the blind-side after a five metre line-out.

Gavin was in for her second soon after, the hooker choosing the right moment to break away from the maul.

Thunder then came agonisingly close to scoring as they showed second-half improvements, but a superb covering tackle from Costigan prevented Eleanor Hing from sneaking over on her wing.

Clovers replacements proved to be just a clinical with Grainne Moran sniping over from close range, but then came the moment that gave the home fans something to cheer.

Carys Jones, who had been brought in from Clwb Rygbi Cymru Caerdydd after impressing in training, drove her way to the line to score on her tournament debut.

It was back to business for Clovers though as Foley showed her prowess with a beautifully weighted cross-field kick, which Costigan plucked effortlessly from the air to score.

Buttimer dotted down off the back of Clovers' driving maul to take Clovers' points haul to the 80 mark, while slick hands saw McGann over for her second.

It was fitting the final try of the match went to player of the match Oviawe, who began the Llanelli onslaught.