Rathdrum on track
Leinster League semi-final awaits after Railway scalp
RATHDRUM RFC RAILWAY 10 7
RATHDRUM ladies rugby team were in action again at the weekend for their last league game of the season.
All was to play for between the two sides with Rathdrum sitting in second place and Railway ladies were sitting in third place both were eagerly wanting home advantage in the semi-finals.
Rathdrum were aware that this game was going to be a tough challenge with Railway having previously won their previous encounter in the league
The game started in wet playing conditions which led to numerous knock ons from both sides but from the getgo Rathdrum were up for the challenge. Railway had strong runners in the No 8 and back line but Rathdrum were to thwart their movement up the field from great tackles from Becky, Kellie and Stephanie.
Both sides were played with gusto and the strictness of the referee for his rule book kept both teams at bay throughout the match.
Railway made great ground and were camped on the Rathdrum 22 but fine tackling from Aoife Byrne and Becky Condron turned the ball over and got Rathdrum out of the red zone.
Becky was then to cause more hardship for the Railway side when she made a break and ran 20 metres before she was taken down in the Railway 22.
Rathdrum took this advantage and hammered away at the door until in the 24th minute, player of the day Kellie Fennell crossed the white wash to score the first score of the game. Score 5-0.
Both teams were kept into a battle of retaining possession but both were yet to score again in the first half.
From the kick off, Rathdrum upped the pace but both sides being so evenly matched both never got of each other’s half.
Ten minutes in the back three of Trish, Tanya and Laura got the ball back into the Railway half.
Three penalties from the Railway side in the 22, gave Kellie Fennell the space and over she popped for her second try of the day. Score 10-0.
Silly mistakes from the Rathdrum side, gave Railway the ball on numerous occassions and Railway girls got a new lease of life when they were sniffing in the Rathdrum half.
Two penalties lead them onto the five-metre line where a quick tap and go saw them trundle over for their first and only score of the game. Score 10-7.
For the next 20 minutes of the half, Rathdrum seemed to be on the back foot and were defending their line from an attacking Railway side, Rathdrum were lucky that a knock on on the five-metre line lead to a Rathdrum scrum where Rathdrum made their way back up the field but were not able to capitalise on the score. Final score: 10-7 to Rathdrum.
Both teams now face each other in two weeks time in the league semi-final.
Rathdrum ladies now travel next Saturday to Ballynahinch RFC in Northern Ireland for their All-Ireland semi-final clash.
Both teams are second in their respective Leinster and Ulster divisions so it is expected to be a great game.
All support is welcome. Squad: Becky Condron, Kellie Fennell (Captain), Aoife Byrne, Ellen Hurley, Clarisse Broughan, Lindsay Madge,Noelle Ward, Linda Dempsey, Stephanie Ward Windsor, Aoife McGrath, Neasa Clissman, AnnMarie Burke, Lisa Cahill, Maureen Dowling, Tanya Carter, Laura, Nicola Souster, Trish Byrne, Pamela Maher.