Edinburgh claim BP road win

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JANUARY 06: Edinburgh players at full time during a Celtic Challenge match between Edinburgh Rugby Women and Wolfhounds at Hive Stadium, on January 06, 2024, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ewan Bootman / SNS Group)

The side’s first-ever away match finished in perfect fashion, with Edinburgh claiming a bonus-point win having come from 12-0 down after an initial onslaught from the hosts.

A tense opening exchange was brought to life by the home side, with a linebreak on half way being finished off by the onrushing Shona Wakely. It didn’t take long for the Thunder to score again, this time captain Alex Callender intercepting before grubbering through for Ellie Tromans to dot down.

With momentum all going the way of the hosts, Edinburgh turned on the screw at scrum time to wrestle back control. Building well, and with sustained pressure, the first score for the capital eventually came through loosehead prop Panashe Muzambe, the Scotland internationalist crashing over from close range.

Edinburgh quickly made it two tries through debutant Caity Mattinson. With her side firmly in the ascendancy decided to quick tap a penalty from 5 metres out, catching the home defence unawares to score.

It looked like Edinburgh would go into the break all square, however Thunder hit the lead again, with winger Amy Williams finishing well in the corner to make it 17-12 at the interval.

After an end to end first half, Edinburgh entered the second with a renewed sense of purpose to dominate the half. Camped in the Thunder for the first 10 minutes of the half, the pressure finally told. Mattinson again quick tapped a penalty, before Edinburgh went through the hands to give number eight Freya Walker a simple finish in the corner.

Shortly after the try the hosts were reduced to 14, with Tromans seeing yellow for a deliberate knock on. Edinburgh made the advantage count immediately, with Cieron Bell running round the defence for a stunning score – her third in as many matches.

With the BP secured, Edinburgh were able to close out the game, with Emma Orr and Nicole Flynn showing sparks of brilliance to keep the pressure on the hosts.

A word also goes to Aila Ronald and Sophie Murphy, who both made their debuts for the club from the bench.