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Celtic Challenge 2025/26 Round 3: Wolfhounds' perfect start continues
By Joe Harvey
At the weekend all six Celtic Challenge teams got another opportunity to lay out early markers in the third round of the new campaign.
Over that minutes of rugby we saw Wolfhounds continue their unbeaten start to the season, while Clovers and Gwalia Lightning picked up their second wins of 2025/26.
Individual players even put their hands up as the race for 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations selection continued, with the likes of Courtney Greenway, Aoibheann McGrath, Catriona Finn and India Daley all impressing.
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In Round 4, Edinburgh Rugby will travel to Gwalia Lightning, Wolfhounds host Brython Thunder and Glasgow Warriors visit Clovers.
Glasgow Warriors 19-31 Gwalia Lightning
A hat-trick for Courtney Greenway helped Gwalia Lightning pick up their second win of the season.
The Welsh outfit were well worth their bonus point win at Scotstoun Stadium. Even if it was Glasgow that took an early lead when Sky Phimister’s raw pace was unleashed by Briar McNamara.
Shortly after Nikita Prothero had almost brought Lightning into the contest with a break of her own, Wales lock Tilly Vucaj powered over from close range and Carys Hughes’ conversion afforded the visitors a narrow lead.
It was in the second half that things really sprung into life. Glasgow’s Freya Walker and Gwalia’s Molly Reardon exchanged efforts. Momentum continued to seesaw each way as Warriors’ Gemma Bell and Greenway traded their own scores.
It was in the 67th minute that Gwalia truly grabbed hold of the contest as Greenway got her second of the afternoon. To register her hat-trick the wing showed a clean pair of heels to leave opposition defenders in her wake late on.
Edinburgh Rugby 12-50 Wolfhounds
Wolfhounds registered eight tries against Edinburgh to rack up a half-century at Hive Stadium.
Neill Alcorn’s captain, Aoife Dalton, and Player of the Match, Dannah O’Brien, were the star attractions in the Scottish capital as the two teams clashed for a second time this season.
In her second game back from injury, Erin King got over the whitewash in the 16th minute, before Edinburgh hit back with a solo Cieron Bell effort.
To begin growing a commanding lead India Daley, Aoibheann Reilly and Dalton were able to power their way across the try line to lock up the try scoring bonus point. Niamh Marley added another for the Irish side, but Wolfhounds did see Edinburgh prop Talei Tawake get over at the end of the half.
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Much of the second half was disjointed, but Wolfounds put the game beyond any doubt when O’Brien’s cross-field kick sent Maggie Boylan over the try line.
Soon enough Aoife Corcoran and Stacey Flood added the final touched to the scoreboard and continued Wolfhounds’ faultless start to the season.
Brython Thunder 12-15 Clovers
Clovers’ first half flurry helped the side to a 15-12 win over Brython Thunder in Cardiff.
Ireland U18 and U20 international Aoibheann McGrath produced a Player of the Match display at Cardiff Arms Park.
It took just five minutes for Denis Fogarty’s side to take the lead as Clovers’ early advantage at the scrum was rewarded with a Caitriona Finn penalty.
Clovers continued to punish their hosts, who struggled to gain a foothold in the contest early on. To extend their advantage the Irish side saw Emily Foley sent across the whitewash by Aoibheann McGrath.
To establish a 15-point lead, which was ultimately unassailable for the Welsh hosts, Lucia Linn pounced on a loose ball in midfield and raced over from halfway.
Thunder were finally able to get on the scoresheet when Hanna Marshall’s perfect cross-field kick put Amy Williams over the whitewash. Marshall reduced the deficit further with the conversion.
After half-time Gwen Crabb dotted down from close range after a bright start by the Brython captain. From then on it was a case of defence making its presence felt and each side simply being unable to find their Midas touch.
At the full-time whistle Clovers were able to celebrate, safe in the knowledge that they have picked up two wins in three matches and sit third in the Celtic Challenge table ahead of Round 4.
