Massive achievement by three Wicklow teams

WHAT a weekend of cup rugby for the girls teams in Wicklow RFC who were the only club to have three teams in the Leinster cup semi-finals. The draw had been very unkind with all three teams drawn away from home.

Wicklow’s under-14s travelled away to play Navan and in their toughest match of the season they came out on top winning 3312 against a well-drilled, physical and skilful Navan team. This Wicklow under-14 side are following in the footsteps of last year’s team at this age who were undefeated all season and they are continuing on with the same never-say-die spirit.

The under-16s were on the road to play Mullingar who lie only two places behind them in the league. This was a tough game of rugby played out in boggy conditions.

The Wicklow girls went in with a narrow 5-0 lead at half-time which was quickly cancelled out just after the break.

With 15 minutes left, it was a real arm wrestle at 5-5, but with Wicklow’s fitness proving key, they closed out the match for a famous victory. Mullingar RFC 5, Wicklow RFC 19.

The Wicklow RFC under-16s are also undefeated across all three competitions and look like a very good squad with a lot of really good players.

They are taking after the club’s senior womens team and like keeping the sideline on their toes for the whole game. They always battle on to win out in the end, loving the fight of a tight finish.

So, all the pressure was on the under-18s to try and make it a historic three out of three and take the whole section to Donnybrook on December 15.

Sunday thankfully was bright and dry, and the pitch got the all clear. A good crowd travelled down from Wicklow to see the Wicklow girls take on table toppers Enniscorthy whom they had recently lost to narrowly in a tough encounter.

The Wicklow girls started well and were first on the scoreboard with an unconverted try but Enniscorthy stormed back into the game, all the pressure was on the Wicklow girls and they defended stoutly but their defence was breached when a try was awarded to Enniscorthy despite it looking like a Wicklow hand had possibly touched down the ball first.

This seemed to deflate the Wicklow girls and Enniscorthy on the back of a number of penalties gained momentum and scored a second try which they converted leaving the score at 12-5 to the Wexford team at half-time.

It was all hands to the pumps as the Enniscorthy girls again piled on the pressure and the Wicklow girls were again valiant in defence.

The Wicklow girls though grew as the game went on. The driving power of the forwards, the passing and wide running of their backs and the strength of their set pieces started to drag them out of their own half.

As the game went on, they started to dominate and with 20 minutes to go they drew level with a converted try.

The momentum had shifted, but there was still plenty of fight left in the Enniscorthy team.

Play went from end to end but Wicklow did certainly finish the stronger and with two tries near the end they secured their place in the final and ensured that all three Wicklow girls team would be proudly be representing Wicklow RFC on December 15 in

Donnybrook.

This was one of the best games of rugby the Wicklow under-18 girls have been involved in played out between two superb teams in a great spirit.

Well done to both teams for serving up a great spectacle.

Onwards and upwards now for these three great teams in the Leinster Cup Finals.

December 15, Donnybrook

Leinster U14 Girls Cup Final: Wicklow RFC v Naas, 1pm, main pitch.

Leinster U16 Girls Cup Final: Wicklow RFC v Portlaoise, 2.30pm, main pitch.

Leinster 18s Girls Cup Final: Wicklow RFC v Port Dara, 4.15pm, main pitch.