Brython Thunder earned the Welsh derby bragging rights with a bruising 7-0 win against Gwalia Lightning in Round 10 of the Celtic Challenge at Parc y Scarlets on Sunday afternoon.
The clash between the two sides in the cross-border league, between teams from Ireland, Scotland and Wales, celebrated International Women’s Day.
Both Welsh teams had already qualified for the semi-finals before kick off after Edinburgh had beaten Glasgow Warriors on Friday night.
Thunder and Lightning will travel to face Ireland to face the Irish sides in the semi-finals in Galway in two weeks. Lightning will play Clovers, while Thunder will play Wolfhounds in the play-offs.
Thunder came into this Welsh derby on the back of a four-match winning streak, while Gwalia Lightning were looking for their first win in four games.
Thunder needed a bonus-point win to move to third in the table and avoid the reigning back-to-back champions, Wolfhounds, in the semis.
But in a hard-fought clash a try by Wales back-rower Branwen Metcalfe, converted by Hanna Marshall, was the difference between the sides.
There were 14 Welsh internationals in the starting line-ups of both sides and the intensity and physicality reflected that.
Wales international Lisa Neumann was a late withdrawal for Thunder due to illness and was replaced by Ellie Tromans at full-back.
The home side dominated territory and possession in the opening exchanges before Metcalfe drove over for the try. Marshall added the conversion to make it 7-0 after 15 minutes, with the home side well worthy of the early lead.
Flanker Lucy Isaac crossed for Thunder after a mix-up in the visitors’ defence, only for the score to be ruled out by the officials.
Wing Seren Singleton was then stopped short of the line as the home side launched wave after wave of attack.
Lightning went down to 14 players when Wales lock Abbie Fleming was yellow carded for a succession of team penalties and Thunder went in 7-0 at half-time.
After the break, Gwalia started like a different team, introducing club skipper Bryonie King off the bench and both sides went toe-to-toe in a physical contest.
However, neither could find the openings to add to the scoreline.
The finale saw Brython Thunder go down to 13 players due to two yellow cards for replacement Jess Rogers and Singleton, but the home side held on for the win.