Portlaoise 69 Naas RFC 28
Leinster U-16 Women’s Rugby Premier Division
On Saturday last, January 31, Portlaoise hosted Naas RFC in round four of the Leinster League Premier division.
Both teams needed the win the fixture to secure a place in the top four to qualify for the play offs.
Strong support for the home and visiting teams were served up an entertaining contest that yielded a total of 15 tries.
In a remarkable turnaround, the weather gods provided a dry and sunny afternoon, a welcomed oasis which provided perfect playing conditions for both teams to showcase their skills.
Molly Jane Dempsey began proceeding for the home side and it was Naas who started with intent setting the tone with strong carries and probing runs.
They created an overlap and crossed the line inside the first two minutes to open the scoring with 7 points.
The first score was quickly followed up by a second converted try, and this provided Nass with a confident start into the game leading 14 points to nil after 10 minutes.
Portlaoise had to be patient and were frustrated by a number of unforced errors, handover of possession.
It was a combination of which handed allowed the visitors to cruise in for another well taken try under the posts. Once again, their out half was on the mark and confidently slotted her third conversion.
The scoreline had now extended to 21 points to nil with the game barely fifteen minutes old. Naas were in the ascendancy and Portlaoise had to get themselves into the game somehow.
Their slow start was costly. They were tasked with firstly sticking pace with Naas before managing to get their way back into the game.
Portlaoise through hard work, grit and determination got themselves back into the game when No 8 Lily Brophy broke two tackles and crashed over under the posts. Molly Jane added the extras, to leave it 21 points to 7.
The resurgence had begun. Strong carries from Tara Peavoy, Ciara Cuddy and Faye Scully would see Portlaoise make ground and apply pressure on Naas.
As Portlaoise brought more intensity and ingenuity to their game, out half Emily Harvey spread the ball wide, across the back line where it reached speedster Molly Jane Dempsey who rounded two defenders to touch down.
She too added the extras to bring it back to 21 points to 14. It was now game on.
From the kick off, Bailey Campion, Daisy Whitten and Amy Peters ran hard at the Naas defence and were causing all sorts of problems.
Scrum half Sarah Cunningham was keeping her pack marching forward with Jessica Delaney and Lily Brophy punching holes in their opponent’s defensive line at every opportunity.
Portlaoise were growing into the game and were now using their possession efficiently.
Portlaoise were next to strike again, this time they launched an attack down the right side of the field. Inside centre Abbie Delaney made a line break before shipping the weighted ball out to Freya Stanley who tipped onto right winger and captain, Niamh Ramsbottom who received on the halfway line.
Ramsbottom opened the burners and left a trail of defenders in her wake before touching down towards the right of the posts. Molly Jane once again added the extras.
After a shaky start, Portlaoise were far from finished and this time it was strong carry by Amy Peter before a quick clear out by the pack.
Cunningham whipped the ball out the back line and into the hands of full back Sophie Sweeney who needed no second invitation as she weaved her way in under the posts giving Portlaoise lead in the game for the first time in the afternoon.
Dempsey was on fire off the kicking tee and slotted her fourth conversion of the half. Portlaoise lead 28 points to 21 going into the halftime break.
Naas were still within striking distance and restarted the second half with vigour and intent. The opening exchanges saw Naas apply all the pressure.
Portlaoise had patient and aggressive in defensive mode with Brophy, Whitten, J Delaney, A Delaney, Peavoy, Sweeney, Stanely, Keane and Cara Daly all having to deal with several waves of attacks from Naas deep inside the Portlaoise 22.
Relentless pressure from Naas took its toll when they finally broke through the line. A cleverly timed pass put their winger away into the corner for the first try of the second half. The try was converted from a difficult angle to leave the match was all square at 28 points all.
It was all to play for, it was 10 minutes into the second half, Portlaoise had to up their game once more and that they did.
Cara Daly, Sarah Keane, Baily Campion and Tara Peavoy were systematically hammering away at the Naas defence.
Quick ball from Sarah Cunningham to Emily Harvey who floated a long pass out to Freya Stanley saw her make huge ground into the Naas 22. A wicked step back inside and pace steered Stanley into the corner to score the next try.
With Portlaoise back in the ascendancy and possession, out half Emily Harvey chipped the ball over the top which led to quick thinking by Pippa Casey to collected and race into the 22.
After drawing the attention of defenders, she unselfishly shipped a well-timed pass out to Niamh Ramsbottom who raced in for her second try of the afternoon.
Full back Sophie Sweeney was next to inflict her skills after she collected a clearance kick from Naas.
Sweeney showed great pace to tip toe her way through heavy traffic to finish a fantastic individual score. Dempsey adding the extras.
Scrum half Sarah Cunningham was a constant threat all day and after another strong carry by Jessica Delaney, she picked up Cunningham on her shoulder who sprinted down the touchline to cross the line which up Portlaoise well in front.
Touch official, Graham Peavoy showed great pace also to keep up before he developed cramp 5 meters short of the try line.
No 8 Lily Brophy was on fire with carry after carry and Cunningham once again picked a crisp pass from Brophy who was stopped short to scoot in for her second well taken try of the afternoon.
Lily Brophy was to have the last say of the game as she showed power and pace to barrel her way over the line to conclude the afternoons proceedings with a scoreline of 69 points to 28.
Portlaoise finish in second place in the Leinster League table ahead of the competitions knock out stages.
Portlaoise will turn their attentions to The Leinster Cup on Saturday February 6 after being drawn away to Navan RFC. All travelling support will be most welcomed by the girls in blue.
Team: Bailey Campion, Faye Scully, Daisy Whitten, Amy Peters, Ciara Cuddy, Tara Peavoy, Jessica Delaney, Lily Brophy, Sarah Cunningham, Emily Harvey, Molly Jane Dempsey, Abbie Delaney, Freya Stanley, Niamh Ramsbotton, Sophie Sweeney, Pippa Casey, Sarah Keane, Cara Daly.
