Clondalkin Womens Rugby travelled to Portarlington on a gloriously sunny September Sunday to play against a team with whom they have had tremendous tussles in the past. As an indication of the progress made by Clondalkin Womens Rugby compared to last season, 22 players were named on the team sheet prior to the match. The need to call on substitutes took place even before the kick-off took place with full back Nicola Smyth falling victim to a shoulder injury.
Clondalkin kicked off and it was soon confirmed that the Portarlington side would be a stern challenge of their ability, stamina and endurance. They were forced to defend for much of the first twenty minutes, showing tenacity in the tackle to thwart the Portarlington advance on numerous occasions. Portarlington appeared better able to control the set pieces and after numerous cuts down the left wing, the Portarlington full-back score a try in the left corner which left their kicker with an extremely difficult kick which fell narrowly short of the posts.
Clondalkin hit back with some sustained pressure of their own but the final cutting edge never materialized – and all through this they had to call on their substitutes to cover an injury or give a well-earned break. At half-timeClondalkin trailed their opponents by 5 points to nil.
The second half started as the first with Portarlington coming in waves against a stout Clondalkin defense. The ground underfoot was very hard and combined with the warm conditions, the toll on both sets of players was immense – with the referee adding quite an amount of stoppage time as assistance was provided to deal with the various hard knocks. With 18 minutes on the clock, Clondalkin were given the put-in to a scrum on their own 22. The strike by the Clondalkin hooker, Aideen Grogan, was firm and the ball was sent directly out the back of the scrum before the Clondalkin scrum-half and Captain, Shone Byrne could get there. Reacting first to the situation the Clondalkin out-half, Gael Stowe, picked up the lose ball and made an excellent break up the blind side forcing Portarlington on the back foot and when after a number of further plays, the ball was passed once again to the Clondalkin out-half, she delivered a perfectly measured Garryowen which bounced just inside the Portarlington 22 and was scooped up by the in-rushing centre, Sara Phelan, who sprinted to score a try under the posts which was then converted by the Clondalkin out-half to give her team the lead for the first time.
Portarlington laid siege in the Clondalkin half of the pitch for the remainder of the match but try as they might they were unable to breech the stout Clondalkin defense with some try saving tackles by new recruit Amanda Madden a feature of their desire to win. The Clondalkin Women’s resolve was tested even further with two yellow cards being awarded with 15 and 5 minutes to go. But Clondalkin Womens Rugby held out for the win by seven points to 5 over a valiant Portarlington side to add to their opening day’s three points and they now look forward to their next game which will be on Sunday, October 13 at home to Barnhall NUIM. All support will be gratefully welcomed.
Clondalkin Womens Rugby Team: Amanda Boland, Kerryn Buck, Shóna Byrne (captain), Caroline Conway, Niamh Farrelly, Naomi Fynes, Aideen Grogan, Ciara Grogan, Sandie Healy, Debbie Hendrick, Mairéad Holohan, Brid Holohan, Melissa Kavanagh, Ciara Lennon, Ailbhe O’Nolan, Sara Phelan, Michelle Rowan, Nicola Smyth, Gael Stowe, Laura Wall, Amanda Madden, Anne Marie Whelan and Claire Winters.
