Women's 1st XV
Saturday saw the last fixture of 2024 for our Women's 1st XV. We hosted North side rivals Suttonians in an early 1pm kick off. There was a moment of silence before kick off in memory of the late great Harry Kenny. Our women also wore black armbands to pay their respects.
It was a hugely physical opening half where we found ourselves under the kosh for most of the 40 and having to defend in our 22m and on our try line for large spells. Irish International Christy Haney made a welcome appearance about 20mins into the first half (her first appearance of the season after injury) and brought great energy to proceedings as well as packing a huge punch at scrum time and in the contact zone. However, 0-5 the score still stood at half time.
The break was a welcome reset for our charges. Our women dusted themselves off and kick started the second 40 in much more familiar fashion. A solid scrum gave centre Tess Proos the opportunity to release Maggie Boylan and her blistering speed saw her rip down the left wing to dot down. This was followed shortly after by a beautiful dink over the top by Ella Durkan, who regathered the her own ball and popped to Boylan once again who turned on the afterburners. Try #2 of the day for her and Rock led by 7, after a Hannah O'Connor conversion. Two more tries from flanker Nikki Gibson (her 1st AIL appearance & try for this year) and another from the rapid Tess Proos (both converted by O'Connor) were enough to see Rock nail on 5 points.
FT: Blackrock College RFC 26 - 5 Suttonians
Watch the video of all the try highlights for the Women in Round 9 of the AIL versus Suttonians.
Blackrock Women 2nd XV
On Thursday night, our women played out a disappointing 7-5 loss to the hosts. In a match largely dominated in the opening exchanges by the Rock Women, we were unable to fully capitalise on possession and territory. Outhalf Libby O'Gorman broke the deadlock in the second half, scoring out wide, before a break -largely against the run of play, saw Railway score under the posts and add the extra two. That was all that separated the sides in the end, as we played out a thoroughly frustrating last 20 mins in the bitterly cold.
Lessons learned and we'll be sure to bounce back harder in the New Year where there are some exciting fixtures lined up against new opposition.
FT: Railway 7 - 5 Blackrock College RFC
Leinster Women
Congratulations to our 11 Rock Women who were involved in the Leinster Women's back to back winning Interpro campaign this summer. They paraded the cup around the Aviva at half time during the Men's European Cup match vs Clermont on Saturday evening. Congrats again to Hannah O'Connor (C), Aoife Moore, Eimear Corri, Sarah Delaney, Aoife Wafer, Christy Haney, Anna Doyle, Cara Martin, Andi Murphy, Clíodhna Ní Chonchobhair & Orla Wafer.
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