Magic start for Wicklow
SUNDAY marked the day of the Wicklow ladies’ first home league match where they met a strong Navan side. From the start, kicking off into the wind, Wicklow put Navan under pressure. The Wicklow forwards and backs combined well to win a penalty, from which a try was scored by Kayleigh Sullivan in the corner thanks to some quick passing. The conversion was missed leaving the score at 5-0 to Wicklow.
Navan were playing a tight game and their pack made life difficult for Wicklow in the set pieces. Time and time again Navan drove forward, forcing Wicklow to work hard in defence. On twenty minutes Wicklow scored their second try, Hannah-Rose Buckley making a superb break and touching down. The conversion was wide but Wicklow led 10–0.
Within ten minutes Navan scored a converted try after stealing the ball in the scrum and following up with some strong running. With minutes remaining until half-time Navan converted a penalty kick out on the twenty-two metre line to level the match at 10 – 10.
From the proceeding kick-off Wicklow applied the pressure and Rachel Griffey powered her way over the line, the try converted by Ciara Patrick. At half-time the score stood at 17-10.
The second-half was only five minutes old when Meagan Parkinson made a superb run from her own twenty-two to score, the conversion was good and Wicklow led 24 – 10.
A sustained period of Navan pressure paid dividends when a Wicklow clearance kick was gathered and direct running saw Navan score an unconverted try to make it 24 – 15.
Heavy showers of rain began to make handling difficult for both sides. Good line speed and pressure from the Wicklow side resulted in Ciara Patrick scoring an intercept try from the half way line which. She also converted this put Wicklow almost out of sight at 31–15.
Once again Navan came back on the restart, with a wonderful catch and with some powerful diagonal running scored another try, the conversion was wide but the score was now 34–20.
Wicklow however responded once again with a second try from Ciara Patrick that came from a nice ‘show and go’ move. The conversion went wide.
Wicklow managed to hold off a Navan attack for the remaining two minutes of the game. This left the score at 36-20 at full-time.
This was a fine win by Wicklow and puts them right in the thick of things towards the top of the league table with two wins from two. They have next week off before travelling to Athy on Sunday October 9. The womens team train on Friday nights from 7pm and are looking for women to join this ambitious squad. No experience is necessary. Contact Colin on 087 9068927
A special mention goes to Ciara McConnell who came on in the second half for Wicklow, joining her daughter Megan on the pitch in what must be a first for Womens rugby in Leinster. Well done Ciara!