Women’s Rugby: Munster U21’s defeat Penn State

Four first half tries were enough to seal the Munster U21 team’s victory over visiting Penn State University in Woodleigh Park on Tuesday.

Munster 24-10 Penn State

A superb first half performance from the Munster U21 side was enough to see them through their first challenge this year as they overcame Penn State in Cork.

The rising Munster stars scored all of their points in the opening forty minutes and put the game beyond doubt by the half time whistle.

They got off to a fantastic start with scores coming fast and early and they recorded three early tries through impressive centres Niamh Briggs (Dungarvan) and Sandra Williams (Nenagh Ormond) and Clonakilty number eight Jane Lowney, with 17-year-old out half Nicole Fitzgerald adding two points. After that there was no stopping the host team, as Briggs, who hugely impressed throughout the game, added another after a fine solo run and it was too much to come back from for the visiting Americans.

The Americans did present a better threat in the second half, with out-half Amber Benlion especially sound with her boot, and their effective maul also presented problems for Munster, who did make a raft of substitutes.

The visitors were rewarded when Benlion skipped through a number of tackles to touch down early in the second half and it was a solid maul that brought their second score before the end when Sarah Carter touched down.

Penn State will face the Munster Senior team on Thursday night at Temple Hill, KO 7.30pm.

MUNSTER U21 TEAM:

15. Lisa Brick (Clonakilty), 14. Aoife Deasy (Clonakilty), 13. Sandra Williams (Nenagh Ormond), 12. Niamh Briggs (Dungarvan), 11. Fiona O Sullivan (Highfield), 10. Nicole Fitzgerald (UL Bohs), 9. Clare Rigney (Ballincollig) Captain, 1. Julie Ryan (UCC), 2. Cliona Kirwan (Dungarvan), 3. Nicola Cuddihy (Nenagh Ormond), 4. Laura Healy (Clonmel), 5. Lousie Landers (Dungarvan), 6. Kate Sheehan (UL Bohs), 7. Orla O Keeffe (Highfield), 8. Jane Lowney (Clonakilty)

Replacements: 16. Julie Arnott (Youghal), 17. Laura Byrne (Shannon), 18. Christine Arthurs (Tralee), 19. Jen O Donovan (Clonakilty), 20. Ciara Ryan (Clanwilliam), 21. Kate English (UL Bohs), 22. Charlotte Skidmore (Clonakilty)

PENN STATE UNIVERSITY:

D Kleine, A Parks, B Vesyl, A Bowman, AK Bodison, A Benlion, L Veisz, A Petko, A Winter, D Keller, C Hood, S Carter, S Doherty, J Leiberman, R Daley

Referee: B Brunt (MAR)