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File photo from last season's game between Blackrock and UL Bohemians. James Crombie/INPHO
women's ail

Blackrock edge Railway Union while UL Bohs trounce Tralee

Old Belvedere remain on top despite drawing at home with Galwegians.

BLACKROCK’S STRADBROOK  PITCHES had been invaded by Wallabies as the Australian international side trained there ahead of their test against Ireland. Yesterday, however, it was back to business as usual, as Blackrock hosted Dublin rivals Railway Union in a feisty encounter.

The two sides sat at second and third place respectively going into this penultimate
round of the Women’s AIL Division 1A action.

Railway commenced the afternoon’s scoring with Ireland sevens squad member Ailsa
Hughes dotting down after ten minutes. Centre Kim Flood missed the conversion.

Blackrock surged back three minutes later as openside flanker Debbie Clarke scored.
Jeamie Deacon was also unable to add the conversion, so the scores were level.

Soon after, the hosts edged ahead courtesy of a Deacon penalty.

Just short of the half hour mark another of Railway’s Ireland sevens players, wing
Emma Murphy, scored a superb individual try. Flood failed to convert.

The nip and tuck nature of this tight fixture continued with Blackrock loosehead prop
Karla Dunne going over for a try just before the interval.

Blackrock started the second half brightly and clocked a further three points on the
score board through the boot of Deacon.

Railway continued to show immense tenacity and got within a point of the hosts when
New Zealand born out-half Mere Baker scored after 65 minutes.

The remainder of the match was an edgy affair with Blackrock’s game management,
tactical nous, and experience playing in the top division counting in the closing
minutes against Railway, who were just promoted at the start of this season.

The final score line was Blackrock 19 points to Railway’s 15.

League leaders Old Belvedere have at times this season appeared unbeatable as their
talented squad including many of the leading lights of Ireland’s Women’s Rugby
World Cup campaign ran riot against their opposition.

However, last year’s Cup winners Galwegians, coached by Connacht Kiwi back row
George Naoupu, played a fantastic defensive game to hold them to a 10-10 draw at
Anglesea Road.

A spirited St Mary’s collected their first point of the season, a losing bonus point,
against a dogged Highfield. The Templeville Road fixture ended 15 points to 22 in
favour of the Cork side.

In the only fixture outside of Dublin, UL Bohemian ran out 31-0 winners against
fellow Munster side Tralee in Anacotty.

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