Wolfhounds beat Clovers in Celtic Challenge derby

Celtic Challenge round two

Wolfhounds (12) 24

Tries: Dalton, O'Connor, Boylan, Higgins Cons: O'Brien 2

Clovers (7) 7

Try: Adams Verling Con: Finn

Holders Wolfhounds scored four tries to secure a bonus-point 24-7 win over Irish rivals Clovers in Saturday's Celtic Challenge derby in Galway.

Having opened their title defence with a commanding victory over Edinburgh before Christmas, the Wolfhounds scored tries through Aoife Dalton, Robyn O'Connor, Maggie Boylan and Eve Higgins to make it 10 Celtic Challenge wins in a row stretching back to the early rounds of last season.

Jemima Adams Verling scored the only try for the Clovers, who were unable to build on their opening-round win over Gwalia Lightning.

In a game featuring a host of Ireland internationals who competed in last year's Rugby World Cup in England, the Wolfhounds made the ideal start when captain Dalton produced a clever side-step and finish in the sixth minute.

The Clovers thought they had hit back quickly when Faith Oviawe touched down after Anna McGann's surge forward, but the try was ruled out after the touch judge spotted that her foot grazed the white line at the end of the in-goal area before she dotted the ball down.

Neill Alcorn's Wolfhounds - who welcomed Ireland back row Erin King back from a lengthy injury lay-off - stretched their lead four minutes before the break when O'Connor finished out wide after scrum-half Aoibheann Reilly's superb break into the 22.

However, the Clovers managed to hit back before half-time when back-rower Adams Verling barged her way over after a sustained spell of pressure to leave her side 12-7 behind.

While Denis Fogarty's side hoped to build on a strong end to the first half, the reigning champions pulled away in the closing stages as Boylan and Ireland star Higgins both crossed in the space of five minutes to secure the bonus point for the Wolfhounds.

Alcorn's side top the table with 10 points, three clear of Gwalia Lightning and Glasgow Warriors, with Clovers remaining fourth.

The Wolfhounds travel to Edinburgh on 10 January while the Clovers take on Brython Thunder in Cardiff (both 15:00 GMT).

Clovers: Aoife Corey; Beibhinn Parsons, Anna McGann, Niamh Murphy, Emily Foley; Caitriona Finn, Emily Lane (capt); Siobhan McCarthy, Beth Buttimer, Sadhbh McGrath; Aoibhe Flynn, Jane Clohessy; Rosie Searle, Faith Oviawe, Jemima Adams Verling.

Replacements: Emma Dunican, Orlaith Morrissey, Ella Burns, Aoibheann McGrath, Caoimhe Murphy, Grainne Moran, Meabh Deely, Lucia Linn.

Wolfhounds: Stacey Flood; Robyn O'Connor, Aoife Dalton (capt), Eve Higgins, Maggie Boylan; Dannah O'Brien, Aoibheann Reilly; Linda Djougang, India Daley, Sophie Barrett; Naoise Smyth, Kate Jordan; Claire Boles, Maeve Og O'Leary, Erin King.

Replacements: Maebh Cleneghan, Cara McLean, Caoimhe Molloy, Fiona Tuite, Poppy Garvey, Moya Hill, Katie Whelan, Vicky Elmes Kinlan.