Sligo U14s victorious
SLIGO U14S BUCCANEERS 17 5
neers away at the end of September,
Sligo were determined to gain all four points from the game and move 8points ahead of second-placed Corinthians.
Ably led by captain Ambrose Bamber, the home side overcame a tough challenge from Buccaneers and finished the first half 7-5, thanks to a Kealon Schoen try. From a sustained attack, Sligo made the most of a penalty advantage to drive Schoen over the line for the opening score of the game. Oisín O’Neill added the extra 2 points. Buccs eventually broke through the Sligo line after sustained defence and struck back late in the first half to touch down in the corner, but the conversion drifted wide.
The second half was a tense after with the visitors piling on the pressure, but the home defence again proved steady and good game management by Sligo established a foothold in opposition’s half, culminating in Ambrose Bamber driving over from a shortrange penalty move to put another 5points on the scoreboard. The visitors showed great determination and fought back securing territorial dominance but a fine second try from Kealon Schoen sealed the deal for Sligo.
Overall, it was an entertaining game, with Sligo the well-deserved victors. It was a fine performance and a great team effort, overcoming stiff opposition from Buccaneers. Sligo now find themselves well-placed to make the semi-final of the league, as top two qualify. Next game for the U14 side will be the hotly contested local derby against Ballina on December 8th. Training continues every Tuesday 6-7.30 all welcome. IT was an unsuccessful, albeit encouraging performance from the Irish women’s rugby team, as they fell to England at a score line of 37-15 in Twickenham on Saturday.
England, playing their last game as amateurs, as the RFU are handing out professional contracts beginning in 2019, are one of the premier sides in World Rugby.
Starting second row was none other than Riverstown native Aoife McDermott, who played in her first November International following her debut against Wales in February of this year.
McDermott, cheered on by her family in the stands, played the full 80 minutes.
Ireland will feel unfortunate, as they were struck with an injury to out half Nikki half in the first quarter of action.
Though it was a close-run affair for much of the game, the home side did benefit from a slice of luck as a box kick from Niamh Cronin was charged down, allowing winger Lydia Thompson to touchdown for a try, her first of three.
Ireland kept the game close until the last twenty minutes, until the 56th minute, when Lydia Thompson ran on to a grubber kick for a try.
A similar fate befell Ireland in the 60th minute, in the aforementioned charged down box kick.
Head Coach Adam Griggs remained positive after the match, highlighting the strength of the replacements and the youthful nature of his squad.
Griggs looked on the match to test his charges away against a tier 1 nation, saying : “That’s what these Test matches are for, that we’re under the heat in Twickenham and there’s no better challenge for us.
“We’ll be better off for it.”
McDermott et al will look to focus their attention on the club scene, before the 6 nations begin on the 2nd of February against England.
McDermott plays for Leinster and has been having a brilliant season so far.