Unbeaten UCC Continue Winning Streak

UCC extended their unbeaten record this season with a win 28-12 at home against UL on Wednesday.

UCC had to defend from the kick off with UL applying the pressure. While UCC defended well for the first five minutes, outhalf Laura Guest powered through the UCC defense line, breaking through a tackle to score the opening try under the posts, which was converted by Lorna Barry.

UCC settled after this and at the restart gained and maintained possession. After a good passage of ball retention and through good support play UCC’s first try was to come. After a succession of forward moves around the fringes the ball, Aine Feirtear and Jane O Rehelly were both strong in attack. The ball was sent wide to outhalf Clare Rigney who passed to first centre Aoife Deasy, who had a half break, committing two defenders and managing to pop up to Rigney in support, a quick Sarah Hogan inside the 22 edged UCC another few meters closer to the try line, Hogan passed to second row, Fionnuala Baynes who held off a defender to score under the posts.This brought the score to 7-7 but UCC were to go on from this an did not take the foot off the pedal.

This was followed by yet another good passage of play from UL but UCC seemed to just absorb it and indeed showed great determination and organization in the defensive line. After this period of continued pressure, a handling error allowed UCC to relieve the pressure. After attaining good field possession UCC were soon to go over the line for their second try of the day. The ball came out to Rigney, who passed to Deasy who went between the two UL centres, popped once to Rigney on her outside, who passed to Hogan who stepped between two defenders and dived over the line, bringing the score to 14-7 at the break.

 UL were first on the score board in the second half with an unconverted try out wide from their winger, this was after a period of sustained pressure by UL and a penalty in the 22 which lead to an overlap. The scoreboard now reading 14-12 to UCC.

 However UCC came back with a converted try from after a scrum outside the 22 when Rigney ran blind making a break and linking up with winger Roisin Fahey increasing the lead to 21-12.

With four minutes to go UCC closed out the game with yet another converted try from winger Roisin Fahey beating her opposite number out wide, having been checked by two defenders she somehow managed to shrug them off, stumbled but regained her feet to score once again under the posts. This left the final score at 28-12 to the cork side.

UCC defensive training paid off and was put into full effect under pressure from UL. Many crunch tackles were put in especially from player of the match Clare Rigney. There was also presure put on the UL line-out with Fionnuala Bayens stealing UL ball on several occasions.

UCC Ladies will be taking a well deserved Christmas break but will be back in the new year, will strong intentions to maintain their unbeaten record. We look forward to your continued support in the New Year.

Team: Aine Firtear, Orlagh Ryan, Sarah O’Loughlin, Fionnuala Bayens, Jane O’Rehelly, Elaine Langley(c), Jennifer Barry, Clare Rigney, Leonie Dolan, Aofie Deasy, Sarah Hogan, Roisin Fahey, Tamar Jaywardene.
Subs: Amy Smyth (A. Deasy 60mins), Tara Moore, Sylvia O’Sullivan, Julie Arnott, Ruth Doran, Lucy Barry, Cathriona Sheridan