Big boost as ’Drum topple Clondalkin
RATHDRUM ladies rugby team hosted Clondalkin on Sunday at the Ivy Leaf Grounds in Rathdrum. Both teams have had similar results in the Division 2 Leinster league to date, so it was going to be a tightly contested match.
From the off, both teams were back in forth between the halfway line. Rathdrum got quick ball out and with that speedy number 10 Heather Cullen got the ball and side stepped her way through the Clondalkin line to score for an early 5-0 lead.
Clondalkin were then to come back and to show their strength with their forward pack. Strong runs from the Clondalkin number 12 saw her get the ball and make it over the line for their first try. 5-5.
With both sides evenly contesting for the ball, the match was played up and down the field for the majority of the first half.
Rathdrum were attacking back up in the Clondalkin 22 but were held out for 10 minutes until a quick change of direction saw Loretta Gilbert go over the line in the corner for Rathdrum’s second try which was converted to leave the home side leading 12-5.
Rathdrum gave away multiple penalties which brought Clondalkin back into the Rathdrum 22 and eventually saw the number 15 switch with her number 10 to run in a try under the posts. 12-10 at half-time.
Rathdrum started off slow in the second half, huge tackles from the forward pack of Linda Dempsey, Hannah Fennell and Aoibheann Hayes still kept the Clondalkin pack out for some time, however they constantly attacked the line and eventually went over for their third try to make it 19-10.
Clondalkin started to tire in the second half and Rathdrum seemed to get a jolt of energy in the last 20 minutes of the game. Strong running by player of the day Marta Oliveira saw Rathdrum attacking the Clondalkin line time and time again.
Clondalkin now started to give away multiple penalties at ruck time and after a quick tap and go on the five-metre line saw captain Sue Brady cross the whitewash to make it 19-17.
Rathdrum were now fired up and desperate for the win. They attacked Clondalkin time and time again. Linda Dempsey went over the line to be held up twice and on the third time got over for the try to leave the scoreboard reading 24-19.
Great tackles by Maria Hogan, Megan O’Doherty and Roisin Williams kept Clondalkin pinned into their half. Quick ball from number 9 Ciara Fahey saw Heather Cullen go over for her second try of the day and the final whistle blew.
Full-time score: 31-19 to Rathdrum. Rathdrum are now away for their next two matches to top of the leader board teams of Portdara and Barnhall.
Team: Linda Dempsey, Aoibheann Hayes, Megan O’Doherty, Roisin Williams, Loretta Gilbert, Marta Oliveria, Maria Hogan, Hannah Fennell, Ciara Fahey, Heather Cullen, Natalie Farrell, Sammy McCoy, Sue Brady, Bridget Collins, Nicola Souster, Sadhbh Galvin.