26 September | 12:30 kick-off | Ballina RFC
The Westport U18.5 ladies got their league campaign underway on Saturday afternoon in Ballina with Westport travelling with just 14 players. Conditions were, shall we say, typically West of Ireland with showers, a crosswind and plenty of character!
First Half
From the opening whistle, Ballina put Westport under pressure but the visitors showed exactly what they were capable of on the counter-attack. A swift break resulted in Leah crossing for the opening try, with Ruth adding the conversion. Ballina 0–7 Westport.
Westport soon produced another excellent move, finished off by Claire with a superb try - a great start to her first U18 match. The conversion was missed, but Westport were beginning to find their rhythm. 0–12.
Then came a moment of brilliance from Poppy whose dummy opened up the Ballina defence and allowed her to race in for another try. Ruth added the extras. 0–19.
The tries kept coming. Ruth produced a spectacular 50-metre run to score, before another counter-attack saw Ruth on the finish again. 0–33.
There was no let-up. Another 50-metre move saw Ann supply Leah, who finished the attack in style. 0–40.
Then came two more power-packed efforts. Aoibhinn burst through for a try, followed by Orla, who produced another powerful run to cross the line. With Ruth continuing to add points, the score reached 0–52 at half-time.
It was champagne rugby from Westport — the kind of expansive, attacking play that even General Humbert might have appreciated!
Second half
There was barely time to settle after the restart before Ann - in her debut U18s game - took off on another 50-metre run and finished with a try. 0–57.
Leah then added another try as Westport continued their relentless attack. 0–62.
To their credit, Ballina kept battling and were rewarded with a try of their own. The conversion was missed, making it Ballina 5–62 Westport.
Westport responded immediately. Leah completed her hat-trick, with Ruth converting to bring the score to 5–69.
Then it was Ruth’s turn to claim a hat-trick, adding another try as Westport continued to play with confidence and pace. 5–76.
Leah wasn’t finished either, adding her fourth try of the afternoon. 5–83.
And with the final whistle approaching, Orla found herself on the wing and produced yet another 50-metre run to score the final try of the game.
Final score: Ballina 5–88 Westport.
A hugely entertaining opening league performance from Westport with some outstanding running rugby, excellent support play and plenty of attacking ambition despite finishing the match with 13 players.
And so, on the banks of the River Moy, the U18.5s begin their league campaign with an emphatic victory.
Ballina RFC 5–88 Westport RFC
The Westport U18.5 ladies got their league campaign underway on Saturday afternoon in Ballina with Westport travelling with just 14 players. Conditions were, shall we say, typically West of Ireland with showers, a crosswind and plenty of character!
First Half
From the opening whistle, Ballina put Westport under pressure but the visitors showed exactly what they were capable of on the counter-attack. A swift break resulted in Leah crossing for the opening try, with Ruth adding the conversion. Ballina 0–7 Westport.
Westport soon produced another excellent move, finished off by Claire with a superb try - a great start to her first U18 match. The conversion was missed, but Westport were beginning to find their rhythm. 0–12.
Then came a moment of brilliance from Poppy whose dummy opened up the Ballina defence and allowed her to race in for another try. Ruth added the extras. 0–19.
The tries kept coming. Ruth produced a spectacular 50-metre run to score, before another counter-attack saw Ruth on the finish again. 0–33.
There was no let-up. Another 50-metre move saw Ann supply Leah, who finished the attack in style. 0–40.
Then came two more power-packed efforts. Aoibhinn burst through for a try, followed by Orla, who produced another powerful run to cross the line. With Ruth continuing to add points, the score reached 0–52 at half-time.
It was champagne rugby from Westport — the kind of expansive, attacking play that even General Humbert might have appreciated!
Second half
There was barely time to settle after the restart before Ann - in her debut U18s game - took off on another 50-metre run and finished with a try. 0–57.
Leah then added another try as Westport continued their relentless attack. 0–62.
To their credit, Ballina kept battling and were rewarded with a try of their own. The conversion was missed, making it Ballina 5–62 Westport.
Westport responded immediately. Leah completed her hat-trick, with Ruth converting to bring the score to 5–69.
Then it was Ruth’s turn to claim a hat-trick, adding another try as Westport continued to play with confidence and pace. 5–76.
Leah wasn’t finished either, adding her fourth try of the afternoon. 5–83.
And with the final whistle approaching, Orla found herself on the wing and produced yet another 50-metre run to score the final try of the game.
Final score: Ballina 5–88 Westport.
A hugely entertaining opening league performance from Westport with some outstanding running rugby, excellent support play and plenty of attacking ambition despite finishing the match with 13 players.
And so, on the banks of the River Moy, the U18.5s begin their league campaign with an emphatic victory.
Ballina RFC 5–88 Westport RFC
Team Sheet
1. Siena Ruane Cooper
2. Holly Burke
3. Holly Horkan
4. Evie Farrell
5. Saoirse Chambers
6. Orla Palasz
7. Aoibhinn Lyon
8. No one
9. Ceola Durkan (Captain)
10. Ruth Conway
11. Claire Ryan
12. Ann Toland (Player of the match)
13. Poppy Tunney Ware
14. Clodagh McKenna
15. Leah McNamara
16. Tuuli Joppien
17. Arlene Barnert
