Warriors put to the sword as Lightning strike with six tries to earn bonus-point win in Cardiff

Glasgow Warriors have now lost two from two in the Celtic Challenge competition after a 36-19 defeat to Gwalia Lightning in Wales yesterday.

Likeedinburghrugbyagainst the Irish Wolfhounds on Saturday, Glasgow found out that this tournament is going to be unforgiving and mistakes will be pounced upon. They also need to learn to be braver in possession.

At Cardiff Arms Park in the Welsh capital, the Lightning – with five Welsh caps in their 23 to Glasgow’s three Scots’ internationals – made it two wins from two and are now top of the table on points difference after running in three tries in each half to secure a bonus-point triumph.

No 8 Gwennan Hopkins and winger Catherine Richards went over in the first half, fullback Nel Metcalfe converting the first of them, to make it 12-0.

In the 26th minute, Glasgow were awarded a penalty five metres out from the Lightning line and a quick tap by scrumhalf Mairi Mcdonald set up back-row Holland Bogan who crashed over the try line. Centre Lucy Macrae’s conversion attempt hit the post and it was 12-5 and Glasgow now had a foothold in proceedings.

A five-pointer from stand-off Carys Hughes then made it 17-3 to the hosts at the break.

Loosehead prop Abbey Constable,playerofthematchhopkins and scrum-half Sian Jones crossed for Lightning tries in the second period to give them abonuspointandtwometcalfe conversions made it 36-5.

Credit to Glasgow, they kept going until the end and, after sub back-row Sophie Anderson, winger Pearl Kellie and replacement hooker Karis Craig went close, Gwalia had a player yellow carded.

From the resultant penalty, Warriors scored a second try, sub loose-head Ailie Tucker making it two scores in two games from short-range. Macrae converted and it was 36-12.

With the clock in the red, Tucker then scored her second try under the posts, Teenager Macrae converting as it finished 36-19.

Next up, Glasgow face the Wolfhounds at Scotstoun on Saturday and they will be looking forward to home comforts aftertwoweeksontheirtravels.