UL Bohemian Overcome Rivals Old Belvedere In Season Opener

Defending Women’s All Ireland League champions, UL Bohemian, edged out Old Belvedere 21-17 at Anglesea Road yesterday in what was a repeat of last season’s final.

The match of the weekend saw UL Bohemian travel to Anglesea Road to renew their enduring rivalry with Old Belvedere. Despite this being their seasonal opener, the Ben Martin-coached Bohs showed no signs of rustiness and were first off the mark with a Niamh Briggs penalty in the sixth minute.

The visitors took a hard-earned 13-12 into half-time with Briggs slotting over a second penalty and converting a well-worked try from number 8 Chloe Pearse. Some intricate play between the forwards and backs saw Belvedere centre Elise O’Byrne White score out wide on the half hour mark, while Linda Djougang, who played at tighthead prop, added a second try after a messy UL scrum five metres out.

The Bohs’ forwards seized the initiative on the resumption as young centre Enya Breen dotted down for a try off the back of a rolling maul. Some crisp passing across the back-line set up O’Byrne White for her second try, but a fiercely competitive closing quarter produced just one more score – a late penalty – as the title holders prevailed on a 21-17 scoreline.