North Midlands U/17 girls make it three-in-a-row
The North Midlands team which saw off the North East challenge in their BearingPoint Sarah Robinson Cup game
BearingPoint Sarah Robinson Cup
North Midlands 27
North East 12
MULLINGAR RFC hosted the latest round of the BearingPoint Sarah Robinson (Girls U/17). Before large crowds the North Midlands v North East was a very entertaining game.
From the outset the North Midlands showed a commitment to moving the ball across the backs. On four minutes a break by Molly Jane Dempsey (Portlaoise) resulted in the opening try on the right wing. The second try came on 10 minutes, again the pack initiated the move with strong carries from the PortDara pair Ruby Broghall and Emily Miller. The ball was played across the backs to Mary O’Hara (Portlaoise) who wriggled out of several tackles to score in the corner.
The North East side responded with strong carries from the forwards, supported by the three-quarters. On 19 minutes Milita Valeryte (Dundalk) following another big carry broke free to score.
Six minutes Mary O’Hara scored her second try following a series of moves across the backs. Saffron Adams (Portlaoise) converted making the score 17-5 at half time.
The second half saw the North East take the game to the North Midlands. They tested the defence in the opening 10 minutes. On occasions it looked like the North East must score. Desperate defence by Isabel Murphy (Athy) and Lucy Noons (Portdara) recovered ball on the ground, with some big kicks from Misha Magee (Naas) relieving the pressure.
On 48 minutes another big carry Maggie Kerin (Navan) got her over the line for a try which she converted. At 17-12 both sides saw the opportunity to take control.
The North East continued to make big breaks through their pack while the North Midlands responded with slick handling and judicious kicks to keep their line safe.
Following a scramble close to the North East line Emily Miller came up from under pile of players to celebrate a try.
The final score of the day will be remembered among the North Midlands faithful. Receiving the ball inside her own 22, Misha Magee evaded the first tackle before taking off at pace, covering the 70 metes avoiding several defenders to score the try of the game.
The final game of the series will be in Portlaoise when the North Midlands will face off against another unbeaten side representing the Midlands.
NORTH MIDLANDS SQUAD: Keeva Kelly (Naas), Aimee Deering (PortDara), Lucy Noons (Portdara), Blathnaid Kehoe (Portlaoise), Ruby Broughal (PortDara), Eabha Lawlor (PortDara), Lily Brophy (Portlaoise), Emily Miller (PortDara), Kate Lawlor (captain) (Athy), Misha Magee (Naas), Mary O’Hara (Portlaoise), Isabel Murphy (Athy), Saffron Adams (Portlaoise), Molly Jane Dempsey (Portlaoise), Emma Behan (PortDara), Chloe Kavanagh (Portlaoise), Ellie Maye Dunne (Clondalkin), Mila Mihajlovic (PortDara), Molly Fitzpatrick (Portlaoise), Aoibheann Conroy (Portlaoise), Amarachi Obi (Portlaoise), Laura Carroll (PortDara), Lucy Whelan (Athy)
