Belfast Harlequins ran out comfortable winners of the 2010 Woman’s Shield Final at Ballymena Rugby Club on Sunday afternoon. Despite a spirited second half fightback by Ballymoney the Belfast side closed out the game by 39 – 10.
Belfast Harlequins dominated the first half of the Shield final with full back Ashleigh Baxter running riot with three tries and a conversion. Jolene Cloughy, Jessica Elliot and Jenna Stewart all chipped in with tries of their own taking the half time score to an impressive 32 – 0.
Roared on by a large travelling support the Ballymoney side refused to lie down and hit back at the start of the second half with a try from Sharlene McClaffery after a good drive from the pack and with pacey replacements Judith Elliot and Laura Boyd running the ball back at every opportunity it was Ballymoney who had the better of the second half.
However, despite intense pressure on the Harlequins line, up popped that girl again and the impressive Baxter bagged a forth try and conversion, racing clear from her own half to touch down under the posts.
Fittingly it was the hard working Ballymoney side that had the last work in the scoring with winger Bronagh McDonnell capping a fine personal performance with a break from the half way line to score in the corner, bringing the final score to 39 -10 for the Harlequins.
Belfast Harlequins: Ashleigh Baxter, Sally Nelson, Lesley Ann Stirling, Jolene Clouchiley, Hayley Millar, Ciara McKeenan, Jenna Stewart, Claire Knipe, Eilean McIlroy, Jessica Elliott, Kathryn Hanna, Emma Boyd, Catherine Magee, Jennifer Goodall, Ashleigh Magee, Danielle Robinson, Rebecca Francis.
Ballymoney: Sharlene McClaffery, Andrea Barkley, Heather Mitchell, Nicola Patterson, Julie Green, Darlene Lyons, Francis McIlmoyle, Julie Newton, Gill Powell, Carla Dickie, Bronagh McDowell, Jodie McAlearey, Caiare McLaughlin, Paula Rosborough, Alex Shirlow, Jeanie Hermon, Judith Elliot, Emma Elliot, Laurie Boyd.
