The pilot tournament aims to bridge the gap between women's domestic and international rugby
Celtic Challenge Cup Round One: Thistles v WRU Development XV |
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Thistles (10) 27 |
Tries: Fraser, McIntyre, McGhie 2, Muzambe Con: Smith |
WRU Development XV (10) 29 |
Tries: Carr, G Hopkins, Fleming, Evans, F Owen Cons: Jones 2 |
Wales' development side edged out their Scottish counterparts in the first Celtic Challenge match in Glasgow.
Captain Abbie Fleming was one of five Welsh try scorers at Scotstoun Stadium, along with fellow senior international Kat Evans.
Thistles ran in five tries themselves, and looked to have secured victory when Francesca McGhie carved open the Welsh defence for her second.
But Wales broke Scottish hearts when Ffion Owen crossed at the death.
The new tournament sees teams from Wales, Ireland and Scotland play each other home and away, all leading up to the Women's Six Nations at the end of March.
Rosie Carr opened the afternoon's scoring - the prop was one of five Pontyclun Falcons and six Cardiff Met players in the visitors' matchday squad.
Thistles hit back with tries from Roma Fraser and Holly McIntyre, before Gwennan Hopkins tied the scores at 10-10 at half-time.
Abbie Fleming has won five senior caps for Wales
Wales came out the brighter of the two teams, with replacement fly-half Chelsea Jones converting Fleming's try.
Thistles responded with scores from McGhie and Panashe Muzambe, with the skipper Meryl Smith adding a conversion.
Evans, who like Fleming featured for Wales at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand last year, put Wales back in front, with Jones on target from the kicking tee.
Thistles looked to have won it with McGhie's late score, but it was Owen who had the final say.
Wales coach Mike Hill said: "It was great to see some of the things we worked on in training come out on the pitch.
"We talked about the opportunities we created and how we can maximise that.
"There are clearly some areas we need to tighten up for next week... if we can work on those going into the Ireland game it should give us a clearly platform to play from."
Thistles: Roma Fraser; Holly McIntyre, Emma Orr, Meryl Smith (capt), Francesca McGhie; Sarah Denholm, Mairi McDonald; Panashe Muzambe, Aila Ronald, Elliann Clarke, Erinn Foley, Natasha Logan, Eva Donaldson, Jess Fyfe, Freya Walker
Replacements: Nikki Simpson, Lindsay McDiarmid, Molly Poolman, Charlotte Boan, Emma Turner, Rhea Clarke, Carla McDonald, Rachel Philipps.
WRU Development XU: Leanne Burnell; Amelia Tutt, Catherine Richards, Jenna De Vera, Anwen Owen; Lauren Smyth, Niamh Tinman; Rosie Carr, Kat Evans, Danielle Dinapoli, Charlie Mundy, Abbie Fleming, Gwennan Hopkins, Katie Hopkins, Mel Gnojek
Replacements: Tara Finnegan, Dali Hopkins, Abbey Constable, Ffion Owen, Kira Philpott, Seren Singleton, Chelsea Jones, Danai Mugabe.
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