Brython Thunder stunned reigning champions and league leaders Wolfhounds, claiming a superb 14-0 win in Round 8 of the Celtic Challenge at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday afternoon.
The Welsh side pulled off one of the shocks of the Celtic Challenge in beating an Irish side that has dominated the tournament since its inception.
Thunder’s victory, their third in a row, keeps them in the hunt for a play-off place with two games of the league campaign to play.
Brython, well beaten by Wolfhounds earlier in the competition, were a different team this time around with full-back Amy Williams and centre Savannah Picton-Powell crossing for the vital tries to complete a well deserved victory.
The Welsh side adapted and played the torrential conditions better than the visitors and were well worth their 14-0 lead at half-time with scrum-half Seren Lockwood and fly-half Hanna Marshall showing real maturity through an excellent kicking game to keep the champions under pressure.
Despite the downpours, Thunder started brightly with No. 8 Jorja Aiono and Lockwood combining to break the Irish side’s defence.
The visitors held firm but it was an early sign of the home side’s intent.
Full-back Williams crossed for a superb counter-attack try after the Welsh side’s handling flat-footed the Irish side. Marshall added the conversion to make it 7-0 to Thunder midway through the first half.
Picton-Powell then extended the home side’s lead with a well worked try to crash in under the posts. Marshall added the extras to make it 14-0 at half-time.
After the break, the conditions did play a part, but Thunder’s resilience and desire to get the job done kept the champions scoreless in a frantic finale.
Thunder travel to face Glasgow Warriors in Round 9 at the Scotstoun Stadium on Saturday, February 28 (KO:1pm).
