Brython Thunder went down to a 29-12 defeat to Irish side Clovers in round 5 of the Celtic Challenge at Virgin Media Park on Sunday afternoon.
This was the Welsh side’s second of three games on the road and second game against the Irish sides across the Irish Sea.
Clovers, like reigning champions, Wolfhounds, have both dominated the Celtic Challenge and this was a double-header for the Irish teams in Cork on Sunday.
After the disappointment of the defeat to Wolfhounds last weekend, Brython were a different proposition and were 12-12 at half-time before the home side pulled away in the second half.
Flanker Jess Rogers, former Wales captain and hooker Rhian Bowden both crossed for tries and No. 8 Branwen Metcalfe produced another impressive performance for Thunder.
Bowden drafted in from Senghenydd Sirens rolled back the years with another all-action performance from the mum of two.
The visitors started brightly with wing Seren Singleton a constant threat for Thunder and their scrum proved a real area of dominance.
Thunder lost Welsh international centre Hannah Bluck to a yellow card in the 12th minute and Clovers took full advantage with prop Siobhan McCarthy crashing over from short-range after a period of pressure to make it 5-0 to the home side.
Welsh internationals Sisilia Tuipulotu and Metcalfe both broke the home side’s defence before the try came that gave the Welsh side the lead.
The Thunder back-row combined with Metcalfe involved and a break by openside flanker Isaac put flanker Rogers in for the try under the posts
Fly-half Ffion Williams landed the conversion to make it 7-5 to the Welsh side after half an hour and prop Stella Orrin saved a certain try to get herself under the ball just before half-time.
But Clovers crossed for their second try by flanker Annakate Cournane, converted by fly half Caitriona Finn to make it 12-7.
Brython hit back straight away when hooker Bowden emerged with the try after a superb driving maul to level the scores. Williams’s conversion from wide out hit the post to make it 12-all at half time.
After the break, Clovers skipper and scrum-half Emily Lane crossed for her side’s third try against the run of play to make it 17-12.
Centre Niamh Murphy and full-back Aoife Corey crossed for tries for Clovers to secure victory in Cork.
Thunder travel to Scotland to play Edinburgh Rugby in their next Celtic Challenge fixture at the Hive Stadium on Saturday, January 31 (KO: 3pm)