Galwegians 32-10 St Mary’s, Crowley Park
Highfield 37-7 Tralee, Woodleigh Park
Railway Union RFC 8-47 Old Belvedere, Park Avenue
UL Bohemian 8-15 Blackrock, Anacotty
OLD BELVEDERE CONTINUED to assert their dominance in the Women’s AIL Division 1A by sweeping away a talented Railway Union side in an energetic seven-try performance.
The newly promoted Railway had started life in the top division brightly and had managed to go undefeated through the first four rounds. Hopes were high heading into this top of the table clash.
However, it was apparent home advantage would count for little as Old Belvedere got off to a breathless start at Park Lane with openside Niamh Fitzgerald dotting down after three minutes. Ireland international out half Nora Stapleton duly converted.
Due to the heavy conditions underfoot, the error count was high and for a spell, the action evened out. Old Belvedere, though, were tenacious and showed their class as World Cup stars Marie Louise Reilly and Sophie Spence combined to assist Stapleton in scoring.
Railway clawed back three points through the boot of Kim Flood. Before half time the visitors furthered their lead via a try from the explosive Spence, running wide from a Stapleton pop-pass.
Railway Union applied pressure in the early stages of the second half but the league leaders’ defensive effort was immense with back row players Fitzgerald and Sharon Lynch leading the way.
Fitzgerald then again showed her ability in attack as she scored her second try of the afternoon 20 minutes into the second half.
Five minutes later Railway were defiant as Ireland sevens star Emma Murphy scored her team’s only try.
In the final ten minutes Old Belvedere were relentless scoring three more tries. Wing Sinead Fleming scored a brace and centre Elise O’Byrne White scored with great flair, aided by another stunning Stapleton pass.
Travelling to Limerick, Blackrock cemented second place in the league with a 15-8 win over a defiant UL Bohemian side. The visitors’ scores came through tries from fullback Aoife Tyrell, wing Amy Davis and prop Karla Dunne.
Galwegians gave a complete performance both in defence and attack to secure their first win of the competition with a 32-10 against St Mary’s in Crowley Park.
Highfield ran out 37-7 winners against Tralee in an all Munster affair at Woodleigh Park.
– First published 06.30
