Carrick ladies defended their league title at home to fierce rivals, Ballymoney on Sunday, beating the current league toppers by 19-12.
The home side kicked off a stop/start half, with play beginning mid-pitch and moving to the Ballmoney half and soon Carrick could have opened the scoring. As is the norm when these sides meet, neither side dominated for long and a kick took the action to the Ballymoney 22, with Carrick pushing play back to the middle of the pitch where the action resumed until a Ballymoney run and maul resulted in a try from centre Helen Murphy, which was not converted. Click HERE for the shotsS
Spurred on by this score, Carrick forced Ballymoney into their own 22, with scrum half Lydine Wilson finding the line and centre Arlene Devine converting. On the cusp of half time Ballymoney attacked relentlessly, pushing through the tight Carrick defensive line to allow captain Libby “Slippy” Parke to score a try which was converted as the whistle signalled half time, with the score 7-12.
The second half resumed with both teams determined to out-play the other. However Carrick came back stronger than in the first half and dominated much of the possession, with the forwards playing a more prevalent role than in the previous half. Carrick dominated majority of the possession and pushed to the Ballymoney line, allowing centre Hilary Cawood to score, with another successful conversion from Devine.
Play resumed with Ballymoney making an attack, but were beaten back by a solid defensive line and a penalty saw the ball land in the arms of Lydine Wilson, who made an incredibly impressive run from the half way line to score her second of the match. A missed conversion kept the score at 19-12 to a relieved Carrick side.
Carrick narrowly missed out on a bonus point win as, with moments to go, a line out resulted in a very close call with winger Lyndsay Davidson being pulled out, resulting in a further line out which saw Carrick forwards crash towards the line, but to no avail. The ball was kicked out of play to end the match at 19-12.
This result leaves Ballymoney top of the Ulster Qualifying League, with Carrick having a game in hand. Carrick ladies travel to Cavan next Sunday to take on Cavan ladies in a combined match/Peace III cross-community trip which will include the rugby match, training with Killygarry Ladies Gaelic Football team and adventure activities such as canoeing and mudsliding.
Carrick Ladies have chosen the Belfast Rape Crisis Centre as their charity of the season and held a bake sale after the match, raising £65 for this worthy cause. Many thanks to everyone who participated and especially Lydine Wilson who donated her own time and ingredients to provide all the delicious treats.
