Portlaoise open Leinster Cup campaign in style

Portlaoise 47 

Wicklow 12 

THE landlocked ladies of Laois returned to Wicklow RFC for their opening round of the Leinster Cup. This time there was no mistaking the impressive view of the Irish Sea from the top pitch. Weather conditions were bitterly cold, with no breeze making idyllic conditions for Portlaoise to play their brand of expansive rugby.

Wicklow opened proceeding and it was clear from the start Portlaoise were intent on running hard at the hosts. Full back Amarachi Obi collected the kick off and show cased her blistering pace running from inside her own 22, evading several defenders to touch down in the corner for the opening try. The tempo of the game high with Molly Kelly keeping he pack moving forward.

Portlaoise were relentless with props Orlaith Costigan, Kate Scully carrying hard at the heart of the Wicklow defence. Captain Lily Brophy shipped the ball wide outside centre Saffron Adams carrying deep into Wicklow’s territory before she released speedster, Mary O’Hara to score the next try in the eleventh minute of the game. Portlaoise were settling into the game now, with second rows Blaithnead Kehoe and Sarah Keane being immense in both defence and attack.

Portlaoise were patient while in defence, and with back rows Ciara Cuddy, Tara Peavoy and Louise Hyland working tirelessly at the breakdown the held Wicklow at bay with much of the play being conducted in the centre of the park.

Wicklow began to settle into the game and had ideas of their own. With some clever found a way clever play Wicklow were rewarded with a well taken try of their own Portlaoise upped the ante, Molly Kelly was an ever present threat constantly probing at every opportunity. A loose pass from Wicklow was snapped up by with inside centre, Aoibheann Conroy who carried into the 22 before being hauled to deck. A fine piece of interplay between Louise Hyland and Kate Scully saw the latter crash over the line at the 20 minute mark to leave Portlaoise cruising. The pace and intensity of the game did not dwindle, with fly half spotting an attacking option down the blind side. Brophy weaved her way towards the halfway line where she linked up with left wing, Molly Jane Dempsey. Dempsey showed real ingenuity by chipping the ball over the onrushing defensive line before she re gathered in heavy traffic, she opened up the after burners to touch down under the posts. Kate Scully added the extras.

The re start was clinical, No 8. Chloe Kavanagh plucked the ball from the skies and beat several defenders. With confidence high, sublime passing saw wave after wave of attacks and recycling by the forwards which began to wear down the Wicklow defence. Wicklow were camped inside the 22 and under all sorts of pressure. Scrum half Molly Kelly kept her forwards marching forward and fed a well-timed pass to flanker Tara Peavoy, who made a barrelling run only to be stopped within a hairs breath of the line. Quick thinking from the illustrious Kate Ging saw her pick and go from short range to take a well taken score of her own on the stroke of half time.

At the interval Portlaoise racked up five tries leaving the half time score, Portlaoise 27, Wicklow 5.

Second half:

The second half re commenced with the introduction of Portlaoise’s own “bomb squad” to keep the pressure on.

The work rate continued, and it was not long before centres Aoibheann Conroy and Saffron Adam’s causing problems once again. The long pass from Brophy out to winger, Molly Fitzpatrick seen her skip her way into the 22. Kate Scully was in close quarters to receive the pass to cross the white wash to score her second of the day.

After the re start, prop Daisy Whitten was in possession and both she and Ella Sherlock were on the charge one again. At the breakdown, Emily Harvey was now pulling the strings at 9, snipped around the corner and showed great pace only to be met with a brilliant cover tackle from Wicklow. Portlaoise were in support and shipped the ball out to full back Amarachi Obi who scooted into the corner to compound matters.

The home side rallied and were next on the score board who showed creativity to cross the white wash for their second try of the day. Wicklow added the extras.

Portlaoise never lost focus and a powerful run from Jessica Delaney saw her link up with winger Grainne Ramsbottom who danced her way into the 22. Wicklow were taking waves of attacks now from Emma Scully who grabbed a foothold inside the Wicklow half. Blaithnead Kehoe spotted a gap and she showed pace and quick feet to touch down for a fantastic try of her own.

Captain Lily Brophy was to have the final say in the game when she raced down the touch line, evading a number of tackles to score the final try of the game which concluded proceedings.

Portlaoise with face Ravens away in round two of the Leinster Cup to be hosted in Roscrea on Saturday next, 15 February.