Edinburgh Rugby Women fall to Gwalia in hard-fought battle

The visitors enjoyed a perfect start to the Round 4 clash, building phases with intent as scrum-half Emily Love orchestrated the pack to within inches of the Lightning whitewash.

After Aila Ronald was stopped just short following a powerful wrestle for the line, the ball was whipped wide for winger Cieron Bell to crash over, giving Edinburgh an early 0-5 lead.

The hosts remained patient and hit back just five minutes later, keeping the ball in close quarters before shifting it wide to exploit an overlap in the corner to level the scores.

The contest remained a stalemate until ten minutes before the interval when Gwalia worked their way back into the Edinburgh 22, recycling possession down the short side with quick hands to score in the left corner and move ahead 10-5.

Edinburgh responded almost immediately, turning a clinical set-piece into points as a well-executed lineout drive allowed the industrious hooker Ronald to break away and touchdown, reclaiming a 10-12 lead.

However, momentum shifted in the final minute of the half when Edinburgh were reduced to 14 players following a sin-bin; Gwalia wasted no time in making their numerical advantage count, crashing over under the sticks to take a 17-12 lead into the break.

The second half began in frustrating fashion for the visitors as an overthrown lineout in their own 22 fell directly to the hosts, who wrestled over the line to extend the gap to 24-12.

Edinburgh found a lifeline on 66 minutes when a quick-tap penalty was played to stand-off Hannah Ramsay, who took the initiative to race over from 10m out to bring the score to 24-17.

Despite the late pressure, Gwalia added some final shine to the scoreline with a simple pick-and-go try with just two minutes remaining, sealing a 31-17 home win.

Edinburgh now turn their focus to an immediate rematch with Gwalia Lightning at Hive Stadium this Saturday 24 January (kick-off 1pm), with tickets available HERE as they look to settle the score on home soil.