WHAT LEINSTER AND Munster’s close encounter may have lacked in abundant scoring was more than made up for with the defensive master class on display from both teams.
With two rounds of women’s inter-provincial action played, the title is within Munster’s grasp as the only unbeaten province after victory against the holders in Ashbourne.
The match’s only try came midway through the first half on the of the back of a terrific line-out maul from Munster.
Openside flanker Ciara Griffin, whose work rate throughout the match was immense, secured the throw, with back row colleague and Ireland international Laura Guest dotting down. Outside centre Ger Rea converted from a tricky angle.
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Leinster’s openside Jennie Finlay saw yellow from referee Helen O’Reilly and missed the opening minutes of the second half.
Munster capitalised on Leinster’s absentee with a period of persistent attack in which the women in blue heroically defended.
Munster prop Leah Lyons was yellow-carded after the hour mark. Leinster then spent the remainder of the fixture camped in opposition territory. It was now Munster’s turn to be audacious in defence.
Despite replacement tight head Leah Barbour seeing yellow, Munster concluded the match as they had done last week against Ulster, keeping Leinster scoreless.
Connacht 39 – Ulster 5, The Sportsground
A contrasting encounter was played out between Connacht and Ulster with eight tries scored in the Sportsground.
Unfortunately for the visitors seven of these were scored by an imperious Connacht. The hosts were relentless in launching wave upon wave of attack with fantastic link play between their forwards and backs.
The try scoring was opened by Connacht wing Jill Draper after 20 minutes. With a second coming seven minutes later from Galwegians hooker Ciara O’Connor.
Further first half tries from Emer O’Mahony and replacement Lisa McDonagh followed. Out half Clare Rafferty missed three out of four first half conversions.
Ulster’s young side showed their tenacity when loose head prop Ilse van Staden scored their sole try when she dived over the line after a series of pick and goes five minutes from halftime.
The Westerners enjoyed another purple patch at the start of the fourth quarter, scoring three tries in a ten-minute period. Rafferty did not manage to convert the tries scored by Emma Clery and Marion Sheridan but added the extras when replacement Jacqui Mulligan scored the final try of the match.
Munster win defensive chess match against Leinster while seven-try Connacht dazzle Ulster
Leinster 0 – Munster 7, Ashbourne RFC
WHAT LEINSTER AND Munster’s close encounter may have lacked in abundant scoring was more than made up for with the defensive master class on display from both teams.
With two rounds of women’s inter-provincial action played, the title is within Munster’s grasp as the only unbeaten province after victory against the holders in Ashbourne.
The match’s only try came midway through the first half on the of the back of a terrific line-out maul from Munster.
Openside flanker Ciara Griffin, whose work rate throughout the match was immense, secured the throw, with back row colleague and Ireland international Laura Guest dotting down. Outside centre Ger Rea converted from a tricky angle.
Leinster’s openside Jennie Finlay saw yellow from referee Helen O’Reilly and missed the opening minutes of the second half.
Munster capitalised on Leinster’s absentee with a period of persistent attack in which the women in blue heroically defended.
Munster prop Leah Lyons was yellow-carded after the hour mark. Leinster then spent the remainder of the fixture camped in opposition territory. It was now Munster’s turn to be audacious in defence.
Despite replacement tight head Leah Barbour seeing yellow, Munster concluded the match as they had done last week against Ulster, keeping Leinster scoreless.
Connacht 39 – Ulster 5, The Sportsground
A contrasting encounter was played out between Connacht and Ulster with eight tries scored in the Sportsground.
Unfortunately for the visitors seven of these were scored by an imperious Connacht. The hosts were relentless in launching wave upon wave of attack with fantastic link play between their forwards and backs.
The try scoring was opened by Connacht wing Jill Draper after 20 minutes. With a second coming seven minutes later from Galwegians hooker Ciara O’Connor.
Further first half tries from Emer O’Mahony and replacement Lisa McDonagh followed. Out half Clare Rafferty missed three out of four first half conversions.
Ulster’s young side showed their tenacity when loose head prop Ilse van Staden scored their sole try when she dived over the line after a series of pick and goes five minutes from halftime.
The Westerners enjoyed another purple patch at the start of the fourth quarter, scoring three tries in a ten-minute period. Rafferty did not manage to convert the tries scored by Emma Clery and Marion Sheridan but added the extras when replacement Jacqui Mulligan scored the final try of the match.
Galwegians lie top after dominant opening display
Clontarf start defence in style while Belvo power past Con
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Connacht Contrasting Leinster Munster Rugby Ulster Women's Inter-pro