Women’s AIL Round 12 Roundup

A good weekend for Munster sides, as both UL Bohemians and Highfield recorded victories.

A crucial weekend for Highfield’s fourth placed hopes in the Women’s All-Ireland League this weekend saw a workmanlike performance and robust defence earn them the victory they craved at Bishopstown on Saturday.

Nicola Scully broke the deadlock with her try underneath the posts, which was converted by Ellen Murphy to see the Cork side into a 7-0 lead at the break.

The second half saw St Mary’s stage a revival of sorts but they just couldn’t catch a break, failing to score from good territory and possession. Highfield crossed again before a vital losing bonus point slipped from Mary’s grasp with winger Hannah O’Sullivan’s try in the last moments giving Highfield a 12 point win.

Highfield’s team manager Norita Duggan said: “We had most of the territory and possession but just couldn’t make it count. We were on top everywhere except for the scrums, they had a very good scrum.”

Munster’s other participants took a giant step on their way to securing a perfect season, as they overcame their trickiest assignment away to second-placed Old Belvedere.

Despite falling behind, Lisa Anglim retorted for the visitors with a try ,then stand-out backrow Anna Caplice, struck with the first of two sweetly taken tries to give her team a 17-7 lead at half-time.

Syphonia Pua handed UL a try bonus point with her score just after half-time and Áine Staunton added the fifth try, to go alongside her two conversions. Staunton stood in for regular place-kicker Edel Murphy, who was called into the Ireland training camp this weekend.

Old Belvedere responded with a try of their own late on, but UL Bohs marched on with a 29-14 victory at Anglesey Road.

Maeve D’arcy, UL Bohemians’ team manager, praised head coach Mike Storey for his foresight.

“Mike identified in August that this would be a key time and strength in depth would be needed so we have a second team this season for the first time, they train with the first team and both teams play the same way so that way it is much easier to have a cross-over. It creates competition because if girls are training and playing well enough, they can step into the firsts and that is pushing everyone on.”

Women’s All-Ireland League Round 12

Blackrock 36 – 24 Cooke Stradbrook
Galwegians 7 – 12 Railway Union RFC Crowley Park
Highfield 12 – 0 St Mary’s Woodleigh Park
Old Belvedere 14 – 29 UL Bohemians Anglesea Road