Galwegians 20 –15 Railway Union RFC
Highfield 3 – 25 Blackrock
St Mary’s 5 – 31 Cooke
Old Belvedere 25 – 12 UL Bohemians
LEAGUE LEADERS BLACKROCK remain unbeaten after the latest round of games in the Women’s All Ireland League while newly-promoted side Cooke claimed a notable scalp on the road.
Templeville Road was the scene for a dramatic encounter between the home team St Mary’s and Ulster’s newest side at the top table, Cooke. Managed by Irish Grand Slam winning star Grace Davitt, the Northern side showed much of their player-manager’s steel, grit and determination to seal a famous away win when forced to play three-quarters of the match with only 14 players.
The away team had the perfect start to their day in Dublin scoring the opening try of the game after only ten minutes and they ended the first half in similar style with outhalf Eliza Downey converting her own try as the seconds ticked away towards the half time break.
In between those vignettes, the real drama unfolded as a high tackle on Cooke’s number seven resulted in the Mary’s flyhalf spending ten minutes in the sin bin, but the real drama saw the Cooke flanker given a red-card, much to the confusion of the players.
Despite losing a stalwart of their pack, Cooke fought tigerishly throughout the remainder of the game. Downey crossed the line for her second try of the afternoon with an hour played but her side were reduced to 13 players after another yellow carding.
The home team made their numerical advantage pay to the tune of five points but Davitt herself scored a try which she also converted and with the last play of the game, Cooke’s players hauled their weary bodies once more up the Dublin turf to make it a fifth try and a second conversion for Davitt. A bonus point victory in Dublin the reward for a fighting stand by the Northern side.
Over in Galway, Galwegians came out on top in a tight and intensely fought game. There was a just a single try in it at the end as the home team came out with the win.
Former Railway Union star Nicole Frowley showed no mercy to her previous team mates as she took just six minutes to score the game’s opening try for Galwegians.
Her old club hit back with five points of their own ten minutes later but Clare Raftery restored Galwegians’ lead with a finely executed penalty before Mairead Coyne gave the Connacht side an eight point lead at the break, scoring Galwegians’ second try.
She added her second and the team’s third not long after the break and with Raftery adding the conversion, ‘Wegians appeared set to coast to victory.
However a yellow card for second row Tracey Gannon gave the visitors impetus and the fightback was on. Despite throwing every weapon in their arsenal at the home team Railway Union came up short and Galwegians clung on for glory.
Two glorious sprints sent Old Belvedere on the way to victory at home to UL Bohemians on Sunday. First Sharon Lynch stole the ball in a tackle and galloped 60m to score a try before Aine Donnelly intercepted the ball when UL had an overlap and were heading for a try, and she scampered 70m in the other direction to give her side a commanding lead.
They were just two of the standout moments in a frenetic and fiercely contested game that saw six tries and plenty of star names on show, including Irish captain Niamh Briggs.
Blackrock made it five wins from as many games, claiming a 22 points victory away to Highfield. The unbeaten league leaders continued their sizzling early season form, this time emerging victorious from Woodleigh Park to remain the team to catch.