Match Result
- Result: Galwegians Women 8 - UL Bohemians 51
- Venue: Crowley Park on Sun Sep 30th 2012
- Competition: AIL Womens League
Match Report
While Galwegians were far from self-praising after their hammering of Cooke in the opening week of league fixtures, holders UL Bohemians quashed any residual complacency during their visit to Glenina on Sunday. They romped home to a 8-51 win, leaving Wegians to contemplate a fragmented and inefficient performance which desperately needs to be addressed before they face league leaders Highfield in their next contest.
While Galwegians were uncharacteristically bedraggled and lacked coherence for the majority of the game, an incredibly high work rate was evident from start to finish. Such was the strength and guile of the Limerick outfit that the home side were simply running on empty by the latter quarter, having attempted to quell UL’s ferocious counter-rucking and attacking plays. While littered as always with seasoned internationals, including their captain Jeanette Feighery who was also a key player in Ireland’s Women’s 7’s recent World Cup qualification success, it was ULs new kids on the block who really turned heads. Forwards Anna Caplice, Leah Barbour, and Valerie Mitchell were instrumental in UL’s display and should contribute further to their campaign.
In truth, a victory over UL was always going to be a monumental achievement, especially given Galwegians habit of outperforming their opponents in Annacotty rather than on home turf. However, last weekend’s rout in Belfast by a new-look Wegians team had offered much hope, a hope which was dented from the first whistle. Frustration from early tries conceded followed by a number of infringements ultimately produced a rare yellow card. Beth Mallard was the unfortunate recipient of this team-reprimand.
Attitude was admirably never lacking within the ranks of the baby-blues and was rewarded early on with a standard Claire Raftery penalty conversion and in the second half when Lisa McDonagh combined brilliantly with returning lock Laura Feehily to produce their only try. Feehily caught a poor UL downfield clearance and offloaded to McDonagh who tore through the ragged UL defence 30 metres out. However, this was a rare demonstration of Wegians’ penetration and while the home team was briefly buoyed by the score UL turned the screw and crossed the whitewash three times before the final whistle.
Following a break in league action this coming weekend, the AIL returns to Galway on 14th October when Galwegians take on Highfield.