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Celtic Challenge 2025/26 Round 8: Thunder strike to end Wolfhounds' unbeaten start
By Joe Harvey
Well it certainly feels like we have had the shock of the season in the eighth round of 2025/26 Celtic Challenge action.
Over the weekend Brython Thunder, who had not won a game this season until two rounds ago, stunned the league leaders and reigning champions, Wolfhounds, in Llanelli.
That’s before we take a little look elsewhere. Glasgow Warriors claimed a narrow victory over Gwalia Lightning and Clovers started fast to beat Edinburgh Rugby.
VIDEO
Here is how things played out in Round 8 of the 2025/26 Celtic Challenge season…
Clovers 31-7 Edinburgh Rugby
Galway was the stage for Clovers to pick up their seventh win of the season. Denis Fogarty’s team enjoyed a dominant first half against Edinburgh to get even closer to claiming a home semi-final.
It took just 13 minutes for the home side to opening the scoring as Aoife Corey cut through the heart of Edinburgh’s defence to dot down from 30 metres out.
Before the interval Jemima Adams Verling got over the whitewash and flying wing Chisom Ugwuera bagged a brace, in turn handing Clovers a 24-nil half-time lead.
In the second half Edinburgh could be pleased with their efforts. For long stretches Claire Cruikshank’s team kept their hosts silent and saw their newfound sturdiness rewarded when Hannah McMahon was driven over the line.
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To score Clovers’ fifth try of the afternoon Beth Buttimer made her way across the whitewash and put a full stop to proceedings.
Brython Thunder 14-0 Wolfhounds
Brython Thunder stunned reigning champions and league leaders Wolfhounds to register a 14-0 win at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday afternoon.
The result means that the Welsh side are just two points from a play-off spot.
Teenage fly-half Hanna Marshall was named Player of the Match in the effort and linked up seamlessly with international scrum-half, Seren Lockwood.
It took until around 20 minute mark of the first half for Thunder to take the lead. Amy Williams was the scorer as quick hands did not allow Wolfhounds to set themselves up in defence. Marshall duly added the conversion.
Ahead of half-time recent Wales call-up Savannah Picton-Powell went over beneath the posts to allow Marshall a simple second conversion.
The second half was a tale of Thunder’s perseverance. For an entire half Ashley Beck’s team held their Irish opponents at bay and wrapped up their third win in a row.
Gwalia Lightning 12-15 Glasgow Warriors
Glasgow Warriors dug deep to register their second win of the Celtic Challenge campaign.
It is a result that has kept the Scots two points ahead of Brython Thunder in the table and in pole position to gain the final knockout rugby spot at the end of the regular season in a fortnight’s time.
It was Lightning that took the lead when Chloe Bradley scrambled over the whitewash. Carys Hughes duly added the conversion for the hosts at Ystrad Mynach.
Ahead of half-time, Glasgow drew level when Aicha Sutcliffe powered her way across and Millie Warren slotted the conversion.
To take the lead for the first time in the contest Emily Norval went over in the corner. In the 70th minute Warren slotted a penalty to pile the pressure on Gwalia.
With the clock winding down, Chiara Pearce scored another try to keep Lightning right in the contest, although her efforts proved to be just a consolation at full-time.
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