Westport Ladies travelled with a full panel of 23 to Hamilton Park in Sligo this weekend. The last time these 2 sides met was in Westport RFC in December, and the game ended in a draw. So - everyone was anticipating another closely fought battle.
Westport took absolutely no time to adjust despite the harsh weather conditions, and quickly dominated by scoring 2 tries in the 1st quarter. Saoirse Kelly was first on the scoreboard with one of her classic interceptions in the opposition’s 22, and the next was from our flying full-back Aine O Connor, who plays with the maturity of someone who has been doing it for years, despite only coming up from Youths this year. 0-12 to the visitors.
Sligo then decided they were having none of this at their home ground, and retaliated in a prolonged moment of comfort from Westport to get a try shortly after the restart, and another just before the half time whistle. The score was 12-12.
At this point, despite the scoreboard being level, the Westport pack were clearly commanding the scrums and bowling over the opposition. Sorcha Ni Tarpaigh was a huge threat to the Sligo lineout with her ability to steal the ball and turn over possession. We knew these were our strengths going into the next 40 minutes.
After some discussion between the team at half time, Westport were ready for battle again. The women put some instant pressure on the Sligo line, and our “Player of the Match” winner and out half Aisling Browne got the try she so well deserved after a few carries in from our hard working pack. We were set up with momentum again. It didn’t take long for space to the right to be identified in open play, and some excellent handling allowed our captain Muireann Cawley to make an impressive solo run down the wing, evading multiple defenders in her path. It was back to being a 10 point lead for the blues, 12-22.
Comfort and complacency from Westport, as well as determination and a never say die attitude from the Sligo ladies, meant that the only reasonable outcome was to be that Sligo scored another try, which they did. 17-22 going into the dying quarter of the game.
The situation went from bad to worse for Westport after another high tackle led to a team yellow card, and one of our players fell victim to a 10 minute visit to the sideline, taking the fall for the whole team. Sligo were hungry as they outnumbered us, and carried deep into our half. An attempted turnover in the wing turned into a harsh 2nd yellow card for one of our backline, and suddenly we were on our own tryline defending for our lives with only 13 women against 15. Sligo continued to carry hard and play with determination, but the 13 remaining Westport players were relentless in their defence. We had little possession in the last minutes, but were still dominating tackles and scrums, and the opposition could not find a gap in our line to make this game a second consecutive draw, or even a win.
It was a relief when the final whistle went after a Sligo player was forced out over the line close to our 22, Westport with the win and progressing to the Connacht Cup Semi-Final.
Thank you to the Sligo women especially, but also management, coaches and club - it’s always a pleasure. As was said in the clubhouse afterwards, when we play each other, it’s just good rugby, no messing. Similar sentiments from the ref, who thoroughly enjoyed the contest. Best of luck to Sligo in the Plate!
Thank you to our many travelling supporters, you were so appreciated!
Try scorers: Saoirse Kelly, Aine O Connor, Aisling Browne and Muireann Cawley
Conversions: Aine O Connor (1)
Player of the Match: Aisling Browne
1. Sarah Geraghty
2. Shauna Marley
3. Grace Kellet
4. Virginia Conway
5. Aisling Calvey
6. Rita Coyne
7. Megan Pattinson
8. Sorcha Ní Tarpaigh
9. Darwyn O Halloran
10. Aisling Browne
11. Muireann Cawley (Captain)
12. Ursula Sammon (VC)
13. Saoirse Kelly
14. Saoirse Ludden
15. Aine O Connor
16. Sarah Finnegan
17. Charlotte Connor
18. Erika Pollington
19. Amber Hadden
20. Laura Brady
21. Aoibheann Chambers
22. Rachel Gibbons
23. Jessie Troy
Westport took absolutely no time to adjust despite the harsh weather conditions, and quickly dominated by scoring 2 tries in the 1st quarter. Saoirse Kelly was first on the scoreboard with one of her classic interceptions in the opposition’s 22, and the next was from our flying full-back Aine O Connor, who plays with the maturity of someone who has been doing it for years, despite only coming up from Youths this year. 0-12 to the visitors.
Sligo then decided they were having none of this at their home ground, and retaliated in a prolonged moment of comfort from Westport to get a try shortly after the restart, and another just before the half time whistle. The score was 12-12.
At this point, despite the scoreboard being level, the Westport pack were clearly commanding the scrums and bowling over the opposition. Sorcha Ni Tarpaigh was a huge threat to the Sligo lineout with her ability to steal the ball and turn over possession. We knew these were our strengths going into the next 40 minutes.
After some discussion between the team at half time, Westport were ready for battle again. The women put some instant pressure on the Sligo line, and our “Player of the Match” winner and out half Aisling Browne got the try she so well deserved after a few carries in from our hard working pack. We were set up with momentum again. It didn’t take long for space to the right to be identified in open play, and some excellent handling allowed our captain Muireann Cawley to make an impressive solo run down the wing, evading multiple defenders in her path. It was back to being a 10 point lead for the blues, 12-22.
Comfort and complacency from Westport, as well as determination and a never say die attitude from the Sligo ladies, meant that the only reasonable outcome was to be that Sligo scored another try, which they did. 17-22 going into the dying quarter of the game.
The situation went from bad to worse for Westport after another high tackle led to a team yellow card, and one of our players fell victim to a 10 minute visit to the sideline, taking the fall for the whole team. Sligo were hungry as they outnumbered us, and carried deep into our half. An attempted turnover in the wing turned into a harsh 2nd yellow card for one of our backline, and suddenly we were on our own tryline defending for our lives with only 13 women against 15. Sligo continued to carry hard and play with determination, but the 13 remaining Westport players were relentless in their defence. We had little possession in the last minutes, but were still dominating tackles and scrums, and the opposition could not find a gap in our line to make this game a second consecutive draw, or even a win.
It was a relief when the final whistle went after a Sligo player was forced out over the line close to our 22, Westport with the win and progressing to the Connacht Cup Semi-Final.
Thank you to the Sligo women especially, but also management, coaches and club - it’s always a pleasure. As was said in the clubhouse afterwards, when we play each other, it’s just good rugby, no messing. Similar sentiments from the ref, who thoroughly enjoyed the contest. Best of luck to Sligo in the Plate!
Thank you to our many travelling supporters, you were so appreciated!
Try scorers: Saoirse Kelly, Aine O Connor, Aisling Browne and Muireann Cawley
Conversions: Aine O Connor (1)
Player of the Match: Aisling Browne
1. Sarah Geraghty
2. Shauna Marley
3. Grace Kellet
4. Virginia Conway
5. Aisling Calvey
6. Rita Coyne
7. Megan Pattinson
8. Sorcha Ní Tarpaigh
9. Darwyn O Halloran
10. Aisling Browne
11. Muireann Cawley (Captain)
12. Ursula Sammon (VC)
13. Saoirse Kelly
14. Saoirse Ludden
15. Aine O Connor
16. Sarah Finnegan
17. Charlotte Connor
18. Erika Pollington
19. Amber Hadden
20. Laura Brady
21. Aoibheann Chambers
22. Rachel Gibbons
23. Jessie Troy
