THE Wolfhounds made it five wins out of five to stay top of the Celtic Challenge table with a 36-24 win over Gwalia Lightning at Energia Park in Dublin.
The Wolfhounds led 24-12 at half time with first half tries from Katie Heffernan, Niamh Marley and two from Katie Corrigan.
Second half tries from Katie Corrigan, again, and Christy Haney, sealed the victory.
Coach Neil Alcorn included eight Ulster women in the team, with Maebh Clenaghan starting at hooker where she was joined by tighthead prop, Sophie Barrett, in the front row.
Claire Boles and Brittany Hogan started at blindside flanker and eight respectively, with Niamh Marley keeping her place on the left wing.
There was also a welcome return to action for India Daley, who started on the bench alongside fellow Ulster players, Keelin Brady and Abby Moyles.
The women’s cross-border annual competition is designed to develop players from Scotland, Ireland and Wales. The competition, in its second year, involves six teams in an extended format, with two from each participating nation.
The Wolfhounds contain players from Leinster and Ulster while the Clovers feature those from the other Irish provinces, Munster and Connacht.
Earlier, Clovers lost 35-21 to a strong Edinburgh side at Hive Stadium.
The top three play-offs begin on Saturday, February 17 when the Wolfhounds visit Edinburgh. Kingspan Stadium will host the Irish derby the following Saturday, and the Clovers’ clash with the Scots will take place on Sunday March 3, as part of a double header at Parc y Scarlets.
