Alex Callender’s side were well worth their win with this Celtic Challenge minor play-off in Scotland before they play the Gwalia Lightning in an all-Welsh play-off clash at Parc Y Scarlets on Sunday, March 3rd.
The Lightning play Glasgow in Belfast next weekend but all eyes in Wales will be on the Welsh derby on Welsh soil and in the final game, in two weeks time, in the new expanded Celtic Challenge tournament.
Ashley Beck, the Thunder head coach, would have been satisfied with his side’s performance which showed how much they have developed during the cross-border tournament between sides from Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
Thunder had a forward platform, an aggressive defence and played with a real intensity and width that their hosts could not deal with.
This Celtic Challenge play-off clash was part of a double-header with Glasgow hosting the Dragons in the URC game at the same venue.
Half-backs Seren Singleton and Mollie Wilkinson impressed with their performances and game-management for the Thunder.
But this performance was based around the experience and physicality of Number 8 Sioned Harries, and locks Shona Wakley, who both crossed for tries, and Natalia John.
The Warriors took an early lead with a penalty but a break by centre Meg Webb set up great field position for the visitors before experienced Welsh international Harries showed her understanding of the laws when she touched down a loose ball over the line and caught Glasgow napping to give the Welsh side the lead.
Fly half Wilkinson added the conversion to make it 7-3 to Thunder after 10 minutes. The visitors extended their lead when prop Chloe Thomas-Bradley crossed over for a second try from short-range after a sustained period of pressure.
Thunder survived a serious onslaught by Glasgow just before the break and lost centre Webb to a yellow card, but the visitors defence held firm to go in 12-3 at half-time.
After the break, Glasgow crossed for a first try when centre Claudia McLaren latched onto a loose ball to score, and full back Lucy Macrae converted to make it 12-10 with Thunder down a player.
The Welsh side replied straight away with Welsh international lock Wakley crashing over from short-range, with Wilkinson adding the extras to make it 19-10 to Thunder.
Wales centre Webb then split the defence with a superb solo-break to cross for her side’s fourth try and bonus point to stretch Thunder’s lead to 24-10 midway through the second half.
Wing Roma Fraser crossed for a try which Macrae converted to claw Glasgow back into the contest, but it was too little, too late and Thunder were well worth the win.
