Arklow girls fall just short of creating upset
ARKLOW PORTLAOISE 5 10
RUNAWAY league leaders Portlaoise got the fright of their lives when took on the Arklow Under-16 girls at the Oval last Saturday.
The Co.Wicklow side were on the wrong end of a 55-5 result in the corresponding fixture Portlaoise away in early January. With the girls showing a massive improvement in their recent games they naturally felt they had a point to prove against the older more experienced midlands side.
The game was played at a frenetic pace from the off with the bigger away side relentlessly attacking Arklow through strong big ball carriers. However Arklow stood firm.
Big tackles from Doireann Martin, Lara Prestage, Jane Neill and Clodagh Lee frustrated the opposition, forcing them into mistakes and gradually allowing Arklow to impose themselves into the game.
Consequently scrum-half CJ O’Neill proved to be a constant thorn in the side of the Portlaoise backrow with her relentless probing.
However, Portlaoise demonstrated why they are top of the league with a strong defence of their own. However injuries to Lara Prestage and Sarah Lawlor forced Arklow to become a little disjointed. This ultimately allowed Portlaoise to get in for a try in the corner following some indecision in the Arklow defence. A try it must be said that came completely against the run of play.
The Arklow side re-grouped in the second half and began to play more confidently. Jane Neill constantly won the collisions for Arklow and Emma Keane was almost terrier like in defence.
This pressure paid off when Alanah Wheeler stole over for a try in the corner following an initial break from Grainne Flynn. This left the score at 5-5 all with 15 minutes to play and still anybody’s game.
The last 10 minutes was not for the faint hearted as both sides began to tire after the mammoth encounter.
Eventually the Portloaise side’s larger pack began to tell allowing them to crash over for a try in the very last minute of the game – the game finishing at 10-5 to Portlaoise.
If ever the expression “no justice in sport” appeared apt it was for this game. The Arklow girls showed incredible resolve and remarkable work rate and deserved so much more from this game. A point that was re-iterated by the Portloaise coach.
Arklow play Tullow away this Saturday and will face the encounter with renewed confidence after this display.
ARKLOW SQUAD:
Becky Vickers, Suzie Murphy, Sarah Lawlor, Grainne Flynn, Emer Cullen, Leah Hersee, CJ O’Neill, Grace Furlong, Ava Kavanagh, Doireann Martin, Aine Hendley, Clodagh Lee, Lara Prestage, Jane Neill, Emma Keane, Daisy Tyner, Sophie Nuzum, Alannah Wheeler, Ciara Collins Moore, Celine Murray.