Celtic Challenge: WRU Development XV 26-27 Combined Provinces XV

A combined Irish provinces side edged Wales' Celtic Challenge team in an entertaining encounter in Cardiff.

The visitors ran in five tries, including two first-half efforts from Ella Roberts.

The Welsh launched a comeback, with senior internationals Teleri Wyn Davies, Kat Evans and Sioned Harries among the try scorers.

But the hosts were to lose by a slim margin, having beaten Thistles by two points last weekend.

The hosts had named nine internationals in their side, with Harries the most experienced having been capped 69 times.

She was in need of game-time having not featured recently for club side Worcester Warriors in the Allianz Premier 15s.

Lowri Norkett, Niamh Terry and Caitlin Lewis formed the back line, with Lauren Smyth and Megan Davies at half-backs.

Abbie Fleming led the side at flanker.

The Provinces also boasted some Ireland internationals in their ranks, including captain Hannah O'Connor.

They dominated the early exchanges and looked to have scored the opening try when number eight O'Connor powered over from close range, but her opposite number Harries managed to hold the ball up.

The Irish scrum also caused problems and provided a good platform for the first score which saw the ball shipped out wide to pacey wing Roberts.

The Welsh responded well, Fleming leading by example with some strong carries.

They crossed the whitewash after a series of pick and goes eventually saw Davies driven over.

Smyth added the conversion to take the lead, but it was not to last after full-back Terry gifted the Provinces a try scoring opportunity with a poor clearance kick.

It was charged down by Aoife Dalton who offloaded to Roberts to run in unopposed for her second try.

Dannah O'Brien added the extras with her trusty left foot.

The Provinces were among the tries again, with O'Brien finding the five-metre touchline after her side won turnover ball.

Wales could do little to prevent the powerful maul which escorted Emma Hooban over the line.

Scrum-half Ailsa Hughes added her name to the scoresheet before the break, crossing in the corner after a well-worked attack down the flank.

The second half was a much more even contest with the home side's driving maul proving a deadly weapon.

The pack made 10 metres before the ball was passed out to the impressive teenage centre Jenna De Vera who evaded several tacklers before the Welsh found themselves camped on the Irish try-line, Evans carrying the ball over.

Catherine Richards added the conversion with Smyth off the field.

The Welsh were in again shortly after, Harries as she so often does, picking up from the base of the ruck and powering over the line to the cheer of the home crowd.

The Provinces re-grouped as the rain began to swirl around the Arms Park, Aoife Dalton crossing to restore the visitor's two score lead.

But there was to be late drama as the hosts hit back on the counter attack, Terry making up for her previous error by kicking a perfectly weighted ball through for De Vera to chase and touch down.

Her midfield partner Richards was again on target from the tee to bring the Welsh back to within a point and set up a dramatic finale.

Despite their best efforts and the rallying of the crowd, it was the Irish who held on for the win.

Wales forwards coach Mike Hill told BBC Sport Wales: "There were some frustrations when we came off at half-time about how we performed, we gave way too many opportunities away, way too much field position.

"But when we keep the ball and apply pressure, we saw what we could do at the other end of the field.

"I never want to lose a game, but to lose the way we did - still playing with that intent - I was really happy.

"Now we have a week off and we have got to start our training as we mean to go on."

WRU Development XV: Niamh Terry; Caitlin Lewis, Catherine Richards, Jenna De Vera, Lowri Norkett; Lauren Smyth, Megan Davies; Mica Evans, Kat Evans, Abbey Constable, Teleri Wyn Davies, Charlie Mundy, Abbie Fleming (capt), Mel Gnojek, Sioned Harries.

Replacements: Hannah Stephens, Dali Hopkins, Jenni Scoble, Katie Hopkins, Gwennan Hopkins, Molly Reardon, Beth Jones, Amy Williams.

Combined Provinces XV: Maeve Liston; Orla Dixon, Aoife Dalton, Kelly McCormill, Ella Roberts; Dannah O'Brien, Ailsa Hughes; Niamh O'Dowd, Emma Hooban, Christy Haney, Claire Bennett, Clodagh O'Halloran, Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird, Maeve Og O'Leary, Hannah O'Connor (capt)

Replacements: Chloe Blackmore, Sadhbh McGrath, Linda Djougang, India Daley, Molly Boyne, Katie Whelan, Clara Barrett, Ella Durkan.