Rathdrum prove to hot to handle for Carlow RFC
RATHDRUM CARLOW 17 5
LAST Sunday, the Rathdrum women’s team welcomed Carlow to the Ivy leaf grounds.
Carlow were fresh from a comprehensive victory over Mullingar the previous week whilst Rathdrum’s last game was two weeks previous when they beat League newcomers St. Mary’s RFC who have come down from AIL this year.
Whilst there has always been fierce rivalry between Rathdrum and Carlow, the women approached the game with a new found focus and clear intentions. Despite forecasts, the weather remained on side with only a small breeze to cause some question.
Rathdrum kicked off into Carlow RFC and a strong chase saw Carlow being put into reverse. A key feature from the St. Marys game was that Rathdrum had started poorly, something they resolved to remedy, and remedy they did.
The opening 20 minutes of the game saw a fine display by Rathdrum with the forward pack, including new comer Becky Condron consistently making yards up the field.
The intensity of the forward play opened up the Carlow defence and before long full back Caitlin Olohan was able to spot a gap, she powered through to score to the right of the posts and Rathdrum lead 5-0.
Rathdrum upped the intensity and number 8 Noelle Ward was unlucky to be denied a try; she drove over the Carlow defence and across the line, however, the ref deemed a forward pass had occurred.
However, Rathdrum’s focus remained high and the ball was expertly spread to the right wing when Trish Byrne was stopped just short of the line, Mo Dowling was on hand to pick and touch down for Rathdrum’s second try, with only 15 minutes gone.
As the game continued the accuracy and intent of the Rathdrum players showed as they blew back the Carlow defence. Before long the sharp hands of the Rathdrum backline found Laura Kavanagh, her sheer pace could not be matched by Carlow and the winger sprinted across the line and to the middle of the posts to jot down for Rathdrum’s third try,
Heather Cullen added the points to see Rathdrum lead 17 -0.
As the second half came to a close the intensity of the opening half hour weaned and the referee deemed infringement after infringement to create a fragmented game. None the less Rathdrum closed the half 17-0.
As the second half opened, the intensity rose, however the game remained somewhat broken and Rathdrum never quite found the rhythm they had shown in the opening moments. There were, without doubt moments of excellence from the Rathdrum side, including some fine play from debutant, and player of the day, Aoife Byrne. Yet, for the second half there were no rewards. Carlow’s perseverance eventually paid dividends and they scored with a pick and go in the left corner deep into the second half of the game.
There were no further scores for either side and the game closed 17-5.
Next week Rathdrum will travel to Edenderry to face yet another old rival. Training continues Wednesday and Fridays at 7pm for both the 1st and development teams and new players are always needed. The club looks forward to its first women’s development league game on October 15th at the Ivy Leaf Grounds at 1pm.