The third match for Clondalkin Womens Rugby of their Leinster League Division 1 campaign was played at home in Gordon Park, Kingswood against Wexford Wanderers who had a long trip from the sunny southeast to fulfill the fixture.
Clondalkin, who on winning the toss, chose to play against the wind, had a dream start to the match with an early spell of pressure that ultimately led to outside centre and a member of this season’s Leinster team, Sara Phelan, accelerating past the opposition to score under the posts. Out half Gael Stowe was successful with the conversation.
However, that was to be the last score in the first half for Clondalkin as Wexford clawed their way back into the match with three unanswered trys, one of which was converted, which left the score at 17 to 7 in favour of Wexford.
The second half opened with Clondalkin exerting all of the pressure, pinning the Wexford team in their own half. Quick and accurate offloading of the ball spearheaded by their captain Mairéad Holohan, another member of the Leinster squad, resulted in Sara Phelan scoring her second try which was converted by Gale Stowe. While Wexford continued to play to their strength in the forwards, once again they found themselves outpaced by Sara Phelan on the right wing who would have touched down only to be tackled on the corner flag by two Wexford defenders. However, the referee adjudged the tackle to be high and dangerous and awarded a penalty try.
Every member of the Clondalkin team upped the pressure once again and some excellent interplay on the left side of the pitch saw left wing, Ciara Lennon, race free for a well taken try which was converted by Gael Stowe.
Five minutes later Wexford won possession on their left wing and on attempting to play the ball out of their 22, a long ball was floated between their centres which allowed Sara Phelan to steal the ball and score under the posts. Gael Stowe converted.
Clondalkin were not finished yet, after some concerted rucking by the forwards there was some excellent back play involving Niamh Farrelly, Gael Stowe and centre Siobhan Tierney which resulted in Sara Phelan scoring her fifth and Clondalkin’s sixth try to the right of the posts which Gael Stowe converted.
Against a very gallant and well drilled Wexford side, Clondalkin Womens Rugby ran out well deserved winners on a score line of 40 to 17 with a welcome bonus point for the 6 tries scored which puts them third in Leinster League Division 1.
The next league match for Clondalkin Womens Rugby will be away to Edenderry on Sunday, November 2. Your support at this match will be very much welcome.
Clondalkin Women’s Rugby Team: Amanda Boland, Caroline Conway, Niamh Farrelly, Helen Gillen, Aideen Grogan, Sandie Healy, Mairéad Holohan (captain), Brid Holohan, Melissa Kavanagh, Debbie Kinsella, Ciara Lennon, Emma Lewis, Kerrie O’Halloran, Sara Phelan, Gael Stowe, Siobhan Tierney, Fiona Tighe, Claire Winters and Anne Marie Whelan.
(Thanks to Eugene Noble for report.)
