Clovers Pull Clear Of Brython Thunder Thanks To Three Unanswered Second-Half Tries

Caitríona Finn delivered her second successive player-of-the-match performance from out-half, as the Clovers broke away from Brython Thunder courtesy of second-half tries from captain Emily Lane, Niamh Murphy, and Aoife Corey.

The 19-year-old Finn was at the heart of the Clovers’ 29-12 bonus point win, which keeps them close behind second-placed Gwalia Lightning in the Celtic Challenge table.

Her game management, and her left boot in particular, continually tested the Welsh side at Virgin Media Park, and she provided a brilliant assist for Annakate Cournane’s score in the 37th minute.

Speaking in her involvement in that try, Finn said: “Our forwards had picked and goed a couple of times. Brython Thunder had held up us one or two times before, and they’re pretty good at their goal-line ‘D’.

“So it was more just changing the attacking picture. I was calling for the ball and I just saw they shot out, so I just took the space and I knew Annakate would be there for the offload.

“In the second half it was a bit harder (for kicking) because you had the sun to battle with as well. It’s just about maybe doing a bit of analysis and knowing what their back-field likes to do.

“There’s so many teams in the competition, they’ve different back-fields, and we knew that they were going to put back three off the restarts.

“So it might be the option that we’d kick to the openside, or maybe just kick long and have a good kick chase. It’s just seeing space and then trying to get the ball there.”

Denis Fogarty’s Clovers side are back in action next Saturday, beginning the second half of the regular season with a clash with fourth-placed Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium (kick-off 2pm).