Feathers near perfect performance captures first Celtic Cup
10th November 2024
The Welsh Feathers have been crowned the inaugural Celtic Cup Champions after a 59-47 victory over the Scottish Thistles. The clash between the fierce rivals lived up to its billing in front of a packed Emirates Arena in Glasgow.
The Thistles had the better of the opening exchanges and raced out to an early 6-2 lead only for the Feathers to hit straight back with four goals of their own. Zoe Matthewman came on at GA in an early change for the Feathers and it did little to disrupt their rhythm. Both teams settled into the flow through the middle stages of the quarter until the Welsh team took advantage of some loose Thistle possessions to take and extend the lead to 16-10 at the break.
The trusted combination of Bethan Dyke and Georgia Rowe proved difficult to contain as the Feathers maintained their six-goal buffer through the opening exchanges. Yarranton and Matthewman switched again as the Thistles dragged the margin back to three. Vicky Booth entered at WD for Wales while Scotland continued with their starting 7. In the shadows of half time, the Feathers looked to exert their dominance and did so, closing out a 16-14 quarter to lead 32-24 at the midway point.
Iona Christian moved to WA to begin the third for Scotland with Hannah Leighton moving to C and Hannah Grant at WD. This instantly provided a boost for the home side as they cut into the margin. The Feathers were well and truly up for the fight however and their tactic of clearing the space out in front of GS Georgia Rowe was proving difficult to stop. In the waning moments of the quarter the Feathers hit the accelerator and turned an even quarter into one they took 14-12, heading into the final 15 with a comfortable 46-36 lead.
The Thistles brought Emma Love back in at WA, with Christian back to C. The Feathers in turn continued to rotate their defensive line. Watts replaced Barrie however the damage had been done. Poppy Tydeman (#229) made her debut appearance for the Feathers when she came on at WD in the closing stages.
The home side briefly trimmed the margin to seven, that was short lived however as the Welsh lived up to their billing as the top ranked nation at the tournament. Powerhouse GS Georgia Rowe was named player of the final
Scotland: Emma Barrie (GS), Niamh McCall (GA), Emma Love (WA), Iona Christian (C – Co-Captain), Hannah Leighton (WD), Emily Nicholl (GD – Co-Captain), Cerys Finn (GK). Erin Bolland, Hannah Grant, Anna Fairclough, Evie Watts, Charlotte Dunkley
Wales: Georgia Rowe (GS), Phillipa Yarranton (GA), Bethan Dyke (WA – Captain), Celyn Emmanuel (C), Lucy Howells (WD), Alex Johnson (GD), Leah Middleton (GK), Nansi Kuti, Zoe Matthewman, Poppy Tydeman, Vicky Booth, Ellen Morgan.
Scotland
Emma Barrie 19/31
Niamh McCall 28/32
Evie Watts 0/1
Wales
Georgia Rowe 52/53
Phillipa Yarranton 3/4
Zoe Matthewson 4/5
