WOMEN’S ALL IRELAND LEAGUE ROUND-UP
WOMEN’S ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE leaders Railway Union suffered their first defeat of the season, going down to local rivals Old Belvedere, while St. Mary’s ended their scoreless drought but could not stop the UL Bohemians juggernaut and Cooke came a-cropper at Blackrock where Jackie Shiels scored the decisive try.
RAILWAY UNION 15 OLD BELVEDERE 18, Park Avenue
Gemma Matthews struck the decisive blow against leaders Railway Union Source: Bryan Keane/INPHO
Fullback Gemma Matthews struck for the match-winning try from a late five-metre penalty as Old Belvedere ended Railway Union’s unbeaten five-match run with a hard-fought 18-15 triumph at Park Avenue. The clubs play the reverse fixture next Saturday evening.
Railway’s lead at the summit was cut to four points after losing the top of the table clash at Park Avenue, a game which they led 10-0 early on thanks to Emma Taylor’s second-minute pick-and-go try and a Sinead Taylor score. It was a hugely competitive contest played in dismal conditions with the majority of play taking place between the two 22s.
Not long after Taylor’s try, Old Belvedere began to mount an attack of their own, with Rachel Healy touching down in the corner following an expertly-placed grubber kick from Ulster out-half Jemma Jackson. Railway struggled with their discipline – an area that head coach John Cronin will want to be much improved for the return match – and a Jackson penalty cut the deficit for ‘Belvo to two points at the break.
Increasing the intensity on the resumption, the hosts hit back with a Larissa Muldoon try from a quick tap, but with Linda Djougang in fine form, ‘Belvo’s dynamic tighthead scored her fourth try of the season before Matthews proved to be the match winner. Djougang impressed with her physicality, ripping possession from a Railway maul while also making some crucial carries.
Linda Djougang was on the rampage for Belvo Source: Bryan Keane/INPHO
Belvedere captain Fiona O’Brien told Irish Rugby TV afterwards: “Having lost to ‘Wegians a few weeks ago, we knew we needed to come back and we knew we needed to make this count. We have Railway again next week and we have Bohs in two weeks’ time. That’s three big games and if you don’t get the wins that could change your position in the table significantly.
“So this win did mean a lot. You have to address that the internationals weren’t around either too and it will have an impact across the league as well but we build as a squad and we’re damn proud to get the win today.”
‘Belvo head coach Josh Brown admitted: “We were slow to start but as I said to the girls, ‘We’re building throughout the season, let’s build throughout this game.’ It’s always difficult to win away from home. We were 10 points down and we just built and built and built and we won in the last minute.
“Railway are a team that we love to play: they provide us with a great challenge every single time that we’re here, every single time that they visit us, and we’re looking to every single player who is down in a ‘Belvo jersey, and that’s the reason what we won today.”
ST. MARY’S 7 UL BOHEMIANS 45, Templeville Road
Chloe Pearse dotted down twice for Bohs against bottom side Mary’s Source: Tom Beary/INPHO
Defending champions UL Bohemians have moved back up to second place following a 45-7 bonus point success at St. Mary’s, an important result given their losing November trips to Cooke and Railway Union.
After a tough few weeks readjusting to life in the Women’s All-Ireland League, St. Mary’s will be pleased to have finally managed to break down the opposition’s defence, an area of play which they have struggled with to date.