Brave effort by Amazons

Barnhall prove too strong

ARKLOW RFC BARNHALL 0 26

ARKLOW AMAZONS were put under the screw in the Oval last Sunday when Barnhall visited for the last of the league games this season.

The Arklow side hung on gamely in the first half with some chances, opportunities and held the ball for some good phases, but, ultimately, just couldn’t break down Barnhall throughout the 80 minutes.

Lead onto the pitch by captain Rachel Cooney, Arklow believed in themselves 100 per cent and they put the visitors under pressure with some of their attacking moves, but they just couldn’t get that final nudge over the line.

Despite the early 1pm kick-off, and cool temperatures, coaches praised the support the home side received.

You could hear the local crowd every time Arklow got into the 22, it really lifted them.

Amazons need that encouragement and always want that for all their home games.

Local supporters praised the commitment that the new young players, Sinead Meyler, Megan Meyler, Tara Gavigan and Megan Cullen, showed, and Amazons team definitely wanted to play some attacking rugby and they definitely did that, especially in the first half when they had a bit more energy.

The second half brought Arklow narrowing closer to the try line on two lengthy phases of play.

Rachel Cooney, Claire Nicholson and Dilara Sayan burst through several times gaining yardage only to be met with the physicality of Barnhall’s forwards.

Hannah Mai Jones carried well and powered her way forward only to be held up five metres short of the line.

Arklow made so many tackles and soaked up all the pressure of the visitors, believing the try line is going to open up for them.

Although dominated, and the end result was certainly a reflection of strength and speed in the Barnhall side, there were strong individual performances from Arklow’s Sally-Ann Hudson, Kiri Mc Loughlin, Emer Dillion, Danielle Kaye and Geraldine Young.

Although on the receiving end of a 26-0 scoreboard, there were encouraging signs for Arklow in the performance of their scrum — hardly surprising given long-term member and forwards coach Billy Byrne is in charge of this aspect of their game, while the second half provided evidence of their improving ability in ball possession too.

Certainly, in the second half the front rowers of Lauren Messitt, Louise Murphy and Lorraine Dunne created a few strong ball carrying chances filtering in the flankers Kelly Ann Conroy and Rebecca New thus giving No.8 Samantha Byrne opportunity to bulldoze around with chase but they just couldn’t capitalise closer to the try line.

It’s disappointing, to have that scoreline put on at home it’s tough to swallow but the Amazons won’t dwell on the defeat they park it and move on to the next game.

Ahead of the play-offs and Cup fixtures over the next few weeks the Arklow side know they need to build on the positives from every league game this season now and make improvements in other areas of their game to become more consistent and force more pressure on their opponents.