The Irish side’s pack and impressive defence proved too much for the Welsh side as they went down to their first defeat of the this season’s campaign with a 29-7 defeat.
Wales hooker Molly Reardon crossed for the visitors only try but Gwalia’s defence was found wanting against an Irish side that dominated for long periods of the contest.
Gwalia came into the game with two wins from two but faced a Clovers side fresh from a big victory over champions and Irish rivals Wolfhounds.
The Welsh side had shown they could win playing wide and had an ability to grind out a win in a physical contest in the Welsh derbies against Brython Thunder.
However, Clovers showed they meant business at the first scrum when they pushed Gwalia off their own ball in a cagey opening.
The home side opened the scoring when scrum half Emily Lane took advantage of poor Gwalia defence to give the home side the lead. Fly half Nicole Fowley added the extras to make it 7-0 to Clovers.
The Irish side extended their lead with wing Alana McIerney crossed for a second try after an impressive counter-attack stretched the visitors defence to make it 12-0 midway through the first half.
Clovers crossed for a third try by wing Hannah Clarke to stretch their lead to 17-0 at half-time.
After the break, fly half Hughes missed a long-range penalty to end her impressive 100 percent success rate from the kicking tee.
Hooker Reardon crossed for Gwalia’s try after a patient driving maul from a lineout to get points on the board. Hughes added the conversion to make it 17-7.
Clovers replied with a second try by scrum half Lane to restore the home side’s lead and replacement hooker Sophie Barrett crossed for the Clovers fifth try to seal the win.
