Grainne makes Short work of Athy visitors
RATHDRUM RFC ATHY RFC 10 7
THE Division 4 Rathdrum ladies team kicked off the triple header of matches being played at the Ivy Grounds in Rathdrum last Sunday. Following on from a tough match against CYM last week, and sitting bottom of the league table the Rathdrum side were out to show what they could do and put their stamp on the league.
This was to be a 13 a-side affair with Athy only travelling with a minimum contingent.
Receiving the opening kick from Athy, Rathdrum attacked the Athy defensive line with intensity, gaining yard after yard.
Athy RFC were not to be thwarted and pushed Rathdrum back down the field.
With both teams so evenly matched, it took 20 minutes for the first score to come.
Athy had strong runners and were constantly pushing the line against Rathdrum but the defence stood strong.
Strong tackles by Ellen Hurley, Bernie Byrne and Danielle Burke kept Athy at bay for the opening 20 minutes.
Rathdrum held their ground and their compsure and after perhaps 15 phases of rucking the ball up the field, it was a strong line from outhalf Pamela Maher who saw a gap in the line and popped the ball back to Tanya Carter who went over for the first try of the game. Rathdrum 5- 0 Athy.
From the kick off in the second half, Athy were not to be deterred and with strong runs from their forwards and a lapse in the Rathdrum defence saw an Athy player find a gap and ran from the half way line to score under the posts. This try was converted. Rathdrum 5- 7 Athy.
Rathdrum knew they could not drop the heads and with another try in the mind of all team players. Rathdrum were awarded three scrums in a row where eventually Ann-marie Burke picked from the back of the scrum to dive over the line for Rathdrum’s second try. Rathdrum 10-7 Athy
Athy at this point were down to 12 players and were unable to get past the half way line for the remaining 8 minutes of the game. When the whistle blew, a tired but happy Rathdrum side had won.
Player of the day went to captain Grainne Short for her tackling, defensive operations and direction within the game to her pack.
Next Sunday, the Division 4 side are away to leaders Portlaoise.
Squad: Lynda Woolmington, Ciara Healy, Aoife Byrne, Siobhan Parsons, Pamela Maher, Tanya Carter, Nicola Souster, Danielle Burke, Bernie Byrne, Ellen Hurley, Annmarie Burke, Neasa Olohan, Roisin Olohan, Laura, Steph Rattery, Lorna Driver.