Women’s AIL round-up:
Blackrock 25 – 0 Highfield, Stradbrook
THREE DUBLIN BASED sides lead the way after three rounds of the Women’s AIL Division
1A, as Blackrock, Old Belvedere and Railway Union remain unbeaten.
Coming into to their home fixture at Stradbrook against Highfield, Blackrock were
the only team in the league who had managed to keep the opposition scoreless in the
two opening rounds.
This impressive record was maintained after a four-try performance. However, the
visitors started brightly, applying all the early pressure. After Norita Duggan missed a
penalty for the Cork side, Blackrock kicked deep into Highfield’s half.
This led to some great interplay from the hosts’ backs and forwards, resulting in wing
Clodagh Dunne scoring in the corner after 27 minutes.
A penalty from inside centre Jeamie Deacon followed. Blackrock’s confidence
continued to grow as they managed a great steal from the Highfield lineout. Some
great play between Dunne and former Canadian international Jess Belchos led to
fullback Aoife Tyrell scoring a try to the right of the posts with just four minutes
remaining in the first half.
After the interval both teams came out and played with great intensity. The two sides
managed to cancel each other out in the second half until Highfield tight-head prop
Leah Lyons was yellow cared by referee Paul Dunphy with just under ten minutes
until the final whistle remaining.
Ireland international Tania Rosser, playing at out-half, showed her immense class as
she put Dunne in the position to score her second try of the afternoon.
Just three minutes later after a break from Rosser and a clinical pass from Deacon the
wing dotted down for a hat-trick.
Railway Union RFC 22 – 15 Galwegians, Park Avenue
In Sandymount’s Park Avenue, Railway Union continued their bright start to
life in Division 1A after coming away winners in a physical clash against a dogged
Galwegians, with both sides scoring three tries each.
Old Belvedere 84 – 0 Tralee, Anglesea Road
Old Belvedere continued to dazzle as they ran out 84 points to nil winners against
Tralee in Anglesea Road.
The defending champions scored fourteen tries including a brace from one of Ireland
World Cup stars Sophie Spence. Wing Janice Daly, who impressed throughout the
inter-provincial series and the early AIL rounds, also scored two tries.
U.L. Bohemian 8 – 0 St. Mary’s, Annacotty
Meanwhile in Limerick’s Annacotty, UL Bohemians were the only non-Dublin
to win this weekend after they defeated St Mary’s 8 points to nil.
