Galwegians 15-39 Quins
Quins give Galwegians 6 of the best in a comprehensive 5 point win in Galway.
Galwegians 15
Belfast Harlequins 39
Belfast Harlequins claimed the maximum haul from Crowley Park as six tries from the Ulster men saw the five points head north.
Ian Porter and Michael Allen both scored tries for Harlequins in the opening half, but after the restart they really cut loose and further tries from Andrew Gillespie, Rory Blake Knox, Matt Holmes and a penalty try put a sorry Galwegians to the sword.
After Porter gave Quins the lead with an early try, Isaac O’Grady drew the home side level with a try of his own, which the impressive Tadhg Leader converted.
’Wegians centre Brian Murphy was sent to the sin bin for killing the ball under his own posts and Heaney slotted the resultant penalty, before Allen touched down for the visitors in the right corner to take a 15-7 lead in at the break.
Two defeats is not what the home side had wanted from their opening salvos, but Belfast Harlequins were in no humour to give them a chance and flanker Gillespie gave them control with a try ten minutes after the restart.
The pressure was beginning to show on ’Wegians and after the scrum buckled a penalty try secured the bonus point for Harlequins.
Blake-Knox and replacement Holmes completed the rout with further tries as Leader crossed for a consolation for the home side.
Scorers:
Galwegians:
Tries: I O’Grady, Leader
Cons: Leader
Pens: Leader
Belfast Harlequins:
Tries: I Porter, M Allen, A Gillespie, Pen Try, R Blake Knox, M Holmes
Cons: M Heaney (3)
Pens: M Heaney
Galwegians: J Cleary; R Moore, C Conroy, B Murphy, P Finn; T Leader, D Moore; J East, D Murphy, J Stephens; E Tarmey, B McClearn; I O’Grady, I Muldoon, E McKeon
Replacements: B Lee, G O’Brien, L Scahill, J Naughton, C Muldon
Belfast Harlequins: M Heaney; R Blake-Knox, M Allen, W Stewart, R Scholes; S Olding, R Lutton, N Annett, A Macklin; G Rourke, N McComb; A Gillespie, L Babe, A Heatlie.
Replacements: R Logan, M McGrath, M Ferguson, J Shiells, M Holmes
Referee: Barry O’Keeffe (IRFU)
Barnhall 5-74 Quins Ladies
Quins success continues this weekend with our Ladies securing an excellent win away to Barnhall.
Barnhall 5
B. Harlequins 74
By Natalie Byrant
The Quins Ladies had an impressive win against newcomers to AIL 2N, NUIM Barnhall. It was a fantastic day for rugby with the Quins Ladies making the most of the excellent conditions to run in 13 tries. Ilse van Staden and Collette Broome were impressive on debut with Lucy Woodhouse, Michele Laffin and Alannah Fowley making a welcome return to the red and blue.
Quins were dominate from the kick off with captain Nikki Caughey scoring within minutes followed by tries to Ashleigh Baxter and Zoe Templeton – the trio quick to stamp their authority on the match. Lesleyann Stirling added the fourth try to ensure that Quins left with the try bonus point and taking the score to 24 -nil.
After a brief stoppage for a head injury, Quins allowed their discipline to lapse conceding a number of penalties before Barnhall scored in the corner taking the score to 24 – 5. The Quins Ladies reasserted their dominance from the kick off and a high tackle from the Barnhall prop saw them reduced to 14 players just before half time.
The second half saw the Quins Ladies continued to dominate the game with tries to Sorcha Chipperfield and Ilse van Staden. The Quins scrum dominated throughout allowing Lesley Megarity and Jenny Waide to let the backs loose and play expansive rugby with Nikki Caughey, Ashleigh Baxter, Lesleyann Stirling and Zoe Templeton all adding to their totals.
It was an outstanding game by all and Barnhall are to be commended for their attitude throughout the game. Final Score – Barnhall 5 – Belfast Harlequins 74.
Tries: Nikki Caughey (4), Ashleigh Baxter (2), Ilse van Staden (2), Lesleyann Stirling (2), Sorcha Chipperfield, Zoe Templeton (2)
Conversions: Nikki Caughey (3)
Penalties: Nikki Caughey
Player of the Match – Ilse van Staden / Lesley Megarity
