Arklow girls secure big win in Tullamore

ONE could forgive the Arklow RFC Under-16 girls if they approached last week’s away cup match against Tullamore with some trepidation.

They were asked to travel a 200 mile round trip to take on a highly capable Tullamore outfit on a wet and windy Saturday morning.

The Arklow girls remained undaunted by the trip and set to the task from off. The Arklow girls aggressively attacked the rucks, with Clodagh Lee and Ava Kavanagh causing real problems, and would not allow the home team impose themselves on the game. This approach paid dividends as it allowed the Arklow team get into the Tullamore half, recycle quick ball and allow wing forward Doireann Martin over the line unchallenged leaving the score at 5-0.

The Tullamore team pressed hard to level to score but strong defending from Prudence Mabuza, Emma Keane and Emer Cullen managed to keep them at bay. In the second half the Arklow team reasserted themselves once more and quick ball allowed Mabuza over the line to leave the score at 10-0 with 10 minutes remaining.

The home side would not rollover however and continued to pressure the Arklow team.

However an excellent team effort saw the Arklow team create a counter attack ultimately sending Mabuza over for her second try of the day leaving the final score at 15-0.

This was a massive team performance, in the forwards and credit must go Ciara Collins Moore and Leah Cecil for their excellent scrumaging – their first day at contested scrums, in the backs Emma Keane, Emer Cullen and Prudence Mabuza shone.

Leah Hersee, Suzie Murphy, Emma Keane, Prudence Mabuza, Emer Cullen, Ava O’Neill, Daisy Tyner, Leah Cecil, Ava Kavanagh, Ciara Collins Moore, Clodagh Lee, Aine Hendley, Lara Prestage, Doireann Martin, Jane Neill, Kerri Cleary, Caoimhe Kelly Nolan.

ARKLOW SQUAD: