A thumping victory

ENNISCORTHY 60 GREYSTONES 10

ENNISCORTHY RFC’S under-16 girls had a comfortable Leinster League win against a very game Greystones in good conditions last Saturday morning.

10 tries scored, including three hat-tricks for the game’s three outstanding players: openside Aoife Wafer, scrum half and captain Katie Whelan and No 8 Miria O’Dowd. Outhalf Aoife Codd dotted down after a lovely jinking run from 25m and centre Mia Kelly did well to land five conversions in very windy conditions.

As has been the case in many games this season, ‘Scorthy had to defend for long periods before breaking out and going the length of the pitch to score.

Excellent tackling from the four try scorers along with Ciara O’Leary, Ellen Rogan and especially German student Miriam Knoblauch kept a dangerous Greystones attack from adding to their two tries scored at the end of each half. Knoblauch gave a display of clinical tackling that was inspirational for a girl in her first season playing.

The Greystones coaches were very impressed with the handling skills of the home team, especially their ability to get the ball to a player in space.

Time and time again, through good passing and support play Whelan’s charges managed to work scoring positions.

The front row of Mikayla O’Leary, Lucy Egan and Brid Kavanagh, along with Taragh Cooper all showed great awareness to time and time again keep the ball alive and keep attacks going.

Even though not on the list of try scorers, centres Ciara Boland and Mia Kelly looked dangerous whenever in possession and kept the hard working Greystones defence on alert when in possession.

Boland, in only her second season playing and recovering from a broken leg last season is developing into an outstanding player who makes the right decisions time and time again.

Winger Kaci O’Conner replaced the injured Whelan at scrum half early in the second half and did really well taking all the right options. At full back, Lauren Delaney was faultless as usual.

With the half-time score at 365, all eight subs got good game time and all put in good displays especially Chloe McGrath and Jessica Wickham.

A big bonus was the display of newcomer Katie Bates, who, in her first ever game of rugby, showed a real hunger and understanding of how the game is played.