Thumping win on big day for Rathdrum RFC
Division 1 side in flying form
RATHDRUM RFC EDENDERRY RFC 46 0
RATHDRUM RFC’S Division 1 side took on old rivals Edenderry on Sunday last as part of a triple header at the Ivy Leaf grounds.
Edenderry, having been hit with the loss of much of their former squad were only able to field 13, so a second 13-a-side game kicked off.
Mo Dowling kicked off and Edenderry came at Rathdrum with the usual ferocity.
However, some stellar defending from the Rathdrum side thwarted their attempts.
With ball back in hand, the Rathdrum backline were found wreaking havoc on the Edenderry defense.
Line breaks came from the entire backline however, the opening 20 minutes of the game saw centre Heather Cullen, eager as ever, go on somewhat of a scoring spree.
She was found breaking through the defensive line herself, as well coming on hard support lines following some great breaks from the Rathdrum wingers and full back. Cullen crossed the whitewash three times in the opening minutes to leave Edenderry spinning and the score 15-0.
Edenderry however, showed their resilience as they attacked hard and found themselves deep in the Rathdrum 22. Were it not for the attitude and determination of the Rathdrum defense they would have crossed; alas they did not and Rathdrum darted back up the field. Rathdrum will reflect on some of the game as to what they left behind as dropped balls and forward passes certainly denied several more tries.
The final score of the half came following a Rathdrum scrum; a powerful break from number 8 Becky Condron saw four Edenderry players drawn in to stop her, a quick recycle from player of the day Lisa Cahill fed Caitlin Olohan who moved the ball quickly to Trish Byrne who powered across the line defender and all.
Edenderry were perhaps unfortunate to be kicking off into Rathdrum to open the second half, as Rathdrum were now hungry for the ball.
From the kick off, Noelle Ward powered through the oncoming Edenderry defense to gain 15-20 meters. From this the ball spun left to find Becky Condron attacking a hole in the Edenderry defense, she stepped inside the remaining defender and sprinted 30m to score the opening try of the second half, Dowling converted to see the score a healthy 27-0 and a bonus point win looked sure for Rathdrum.
The next score of the game was to come from yet another scrum, with Caitlin Olohan making good ground down the right wing, the recycled ball found the speedster of the group Trish Byrne who darted for the line; despite the onslaught of three Edenderry defenders Trish touched down for her second of the day in the far right corner.
With Rathdrum spreading Edenderry across the pitch the signs of tiredness were beginning to show on the visitors, within minutes they were attacking from the far side of the pitch once again.
Lisa Cahill made a dart down the blind side, stepping inside the winger and drawing the last defender.
A great support line from Sammy Mc Coy set her free down the left touch line, she easily sprinted the 30m without a defender in sight to score under the posts.
The final score of the game was to come from Heather Cullen once more. Following a scrum, the determined 13 came on one of her familiar lines; taking a well timed switch from out half Mo Dowling the centre burst through the somewhat bewildered Edenderry defense to score her forth and final of the day. The score closed 46-0 in favour of the home side.
The club is currently also preparing for their annual Charity Hound Dogs event which will take place on St. Sephen’s Day. Anyone who would like to get involved and/or play is asked to contact Eamonn on 087 2437220.
Squad: Linda Dempsey, Noelle Ward, Steph Ward-Windsor, Nikki Fennell, Kellie Fennell, Becky Conrdon, Lisa Cahill, Mo Dowling, Laura Kavanagh, Sammy Mc Coy, Heather Cullen, Trish Byrne, Caitlin Olohan, Lindsay Madge, Clarisse Broughan, Tanya Carter, Nicola Souster, Neasa Clissman, Ellen Fox, Aoife Byrne.