Ulster Shield holders Belfast Harlequins would travel to Enniskillen on a soggy Saturday night to play out their Ulster Cup quarter final match against guest team Sligo. The match, played as 12s with uncontested scrums due to Sligos development status and player number, was a tough test for Quins with handling difficult for both sides due to the constant drizzle and muddy conditions. This match was fast paced from the off with Sligo making great ground on the burst through the middle of the field, time after time trying to break a solid quins line. Quins however were able to get into the game with an early try from South African Fly Half Zenay Jordaan which was converted by Nikki Caughey.
Sligo hit back howver and some slick backline work saw them score just inside the 15m line which was converted leaving the score 7-7 after 15 mins. Quins reset and settled down creating phase after phase of play but after a number of handling errors were unable to capitalise on their experience until a great drive from Prop Alanagh Chipperfield to score with 3 Sligo players hanging on in desperation. Converted by Nikki Caughey, the score stood at 7-14. Nikki Caughey added a 3rd try towards the end of the first half which was again converted by Caughey. Sligo never ever gave up though and were justly rewarded with a 2nd try straight off the set piece scrum 5 metres from Quins line leaving the half-time score 14-21.
The second half was a lot more expansive with both teams tiring in the heavy conditions,Sligo suffered more however with Quins Scrum half Jenna Stewart taking a quick tap penalty skinning 3 Sligo players before being caught on the line by a scrambled tackle from Sligos fullback, however the support was there for Quins with Hooker Jen Goodall collecting before the ruck formed and scoring the try which went unconverted.. Sligo kept up the pressure though and never said die…. the final minutes of the game was spent with Quins doggedly defending their line sucking up drive after drive with the eventual final effort being held up before the final whistle blew leaving the game 12-26 in Quins favour.
This was a great display from newer side Sligo who showed great enterprise and some fierce physicality, but in the end Quins experience and life saving cover tackling from Ashleigh Baxter and Zoe Templeton see Quins march on to a Semi Final clash against City of Derry at Deramore park this Sunday after cruising past Ballymoney 0-62 in their Quarter final. K.O. TBC…. This will be the 2nd time Quins will face City of Derry in the space of a few weeks and promises to be an exciting and very physical game, the winner of which will face Carrick who defeated Cavan 5-0 to reach the final.
In other news the Ulster Shield Quarter finals were also played today with Belfast Harlequins 2nd xv playing AIL Div 1 side Cooke, losing by a very respectable 0-58 considering the experience gap between the 2 teams. Cooke now roll on to play the winner between Ballyshannon vs Queens.
