The NUIG ladies kicked off their season with a convincing win over Sligo ladies RFC in Strandhill yesterday afternoon.
The start of the match saw the students defend attack after attack from a determined Sligo side. It was the girls from Yeats’ county who were to cross the whitewash first with their centre breaking a staggered and lethargic college line. It didn’t take too long for the students to reply with a combination of Clodagh Carroll and Rebecca McGovern crossing the line shortly after the 20 minute mark, the cobwebs finally seemed to have been shaken out by the girls in maroon. Newcomer to the side, Orla Mallon, made her presence known on the field with both great defensive and attacking plays. A combination play between both Mallon and out-half Sorcha Tarpey saw Mallon break the Sligo defence only to come up short before the line.
The second half saw the students continue to grow in confidence with Captain Elizabeth Mckeever leading from the front. Scrum-half Shannen Lane dictated a good pace in the phases played by college allowing the backline to show what they had to offer. Yet the score line didn’t reflect the work rate. Finally the college girls seemed to find their rhythm and Orla Mallon was the first to break the solid Sligo defence and was rewarded on this occasion with five points, Heather Dougherty adding the extras from the tee. Eliza Kelly proved solid in the full back position directing the defence from the back. The closing stages of the game highlighted the determination of the NUI girls as they battered away on the Sligo 5meter line for the final minutes. On this particular occasion Orla Dixon powered over the line for the final try of the game, again Heather easily slotted the ball between the uprights leaving the final score 24-7 to NUIG.
Team:
1. Elaine Johnson.
2. Heather Dougherty.
3. Sarah Callaghan.
4. Robyn Mullan.
5. Rachel Buckley.
6. Elizabeth McKeever (cpt)
7. Faye Drohan.
8. Brid Reddington.
9. Shannen Lane.
10. Sorcha Tarpey.
11. Orla Mallon.
12. Clodagh Carroll.
13. Megan O’ Connor.
14. Rebecca McGovern.
15. Eliza Kelly.
Replacements:
16. Lowri Jones.
17. Laura Berry.
18. Agnus Albani.
19. Laura Nickleson.
20. Rio Azam.
21. Orla Dixon
22. Justine Rudkin.
23. Ashling Murphy.
24. Colleen Nevin.
The next round of the league will see the girls face newcomers to the league Galwegians at home in Dangan. Check out NUIG Rugbychick on facebook for updates on the game.