Wicklow 10 Portlaoise 54
Girls U-16 Leinster Premier League Rugby
Portlaoise U-16 girls travelled to Wicklow on Saturday to take on the locals in the Leinster League Premier Division in very cold conditions.
A strong breeze blew across the pitch up from the Irish sea of the coastal town. The land-locked ladies of Laois were confused with the view, was it the Wicklow Mountains or the sea! Then one girl exclaimed “oh look it’s a boat!”
Captain for the day Molly Jane Dempsey got proceedings underway. Portlaoise would dominate the early exchanges with great ball carrying from Jessica Delany and Chloe Kavanagh.
Wicklow who would be brilliant at the breakdown all day managed to overturn the ball with their centre making an excellent break and avoiding several tackles only to be got 15 metres short of the Portlaoise line with a great tackle from Mary O’Hara.
Wicklow would draw the ire of the referee for their persistent infringements which would lead to a yellow card for their full back.
With Portlaoise starting to dominate possession space would open up on the wing. Molly Jane Dempsey looked set for the opening try put was held up on the line.
From the goal line drop out Portlaoise went on the attack again. Blaithnead Kehoe would be causing all kinds of problems from the wing stretching the Wicklow defence. Ciara Cuddy evaded a challenge drawing the Wicklow girls in. Quick ball out Tara Peavoy would release Molly Jane Dempsey to open the scoring.
Wicklow started the attack again and press deep into Portlaoise territory.
Kate Ging would win the ball at the break down and with great passing from Portlaoise released Molly Jane Dempsey who ran three-quarters of the pitch to touch down under the posts.
Wicklow now began to turn on the style themselves. A quick break from their out-half saw her evade several tackles and touch down into the corner.
From the restart the ball bounced perfectly for the on-running Saffron Adams to collect and drive towards the Wicklow try line.
Quick ball out to Kate Scully saw her cross the line for her try.
Portlaoise were now up and running and in control. A great break through the middle by Elisha Gilligan presented Portlaoise with another try scoring opportunity.
However, Wicklow turned the ball over and clear their lines by kicking the ball up the field only for it to land in the hands of Mary O Hara who showed a clean pair of heels to the Wicklow defence to touch down into the corner.
Portlaoise would continue with their impressive start and good work from Faye Scully released Saffron Adams for the final try of the half leave the score 5-27 in favour of the visitors.
The second half would continue where the first half left off. Great work from Orlaith Costigan set up Mary O’Hara for another try.
Wicklow did find themselves on the Portlaoise five metre line again but great defensive work from Ella Sherlock and Emma Scully to turn over the ball with a quick pass to Lilly Brophy who ran the entire length of the pitch for yet another Portlaoise try.
Wicklow never gave up and in turn would score another try.
Grainne Ramsbottom set up the next try which involved Molly Fitzpatrick. A great sequence of passing set Mary O’Hara free for her hat-trick of tries.
With Portlaoise now totally dominating the game, Emily Harvey released Molly Kelly who would breeze her way through for a score.
Aoibheann Conroy, Jessica Delaney, Chloe Kavanagh and Lilly Brophy would dominate the tackle count allowing Louise Hyland to cause all sorts of problems with her direct running right through the heart of the Wicklow defence ending in a great team try by Louise.
SEE ALSO – Laois club football leagues to revert to traditional format for 2025 season
