Saffron Adams was the star of the show as North Midlands overcome the South East

North Midlands 31 

South East 10 

SETU Sports Complex hosted the opening round of games in the BearingPoint Sarah Robinson Cup with the U/17 Girls of the North Midlands meeting their counterparts from the South East. Based on recent games between the sides this was likely to be a tough encounter.

As KO approached the heavens opened leaving the underfoot conditions treacherous.

A large crowd supported the sides as the North Midlands kicked off. From the outset it was clear that both sides were willing to run the ball taking the challenge to their opponents. The defences met the challenge.

The opening try came on 14 minutes following slick movement across the North Midlands threequarters released winger Molly Jane Dempsey (Portlaoise) who outpaced the defenders to score wide on the left.

The South East defence proved stubborn with contributions from their back row winning the battle on the ground.

On 22 minutes, the North Midlands picked up the ball deep in their own half. A powerful break by Isabel Murphy (Athy) created space for her fellow centre Saffron Adams (Portlaoise) on halfway to go in under the posts for a try converted by Catherine Murphy (Athy).

The remaining 12 minutes was dominated by the South East. Zoe Byrne ripped the ball, initially releasing the backs who ran the ball, but were held up. The forwards took over resulting in a try out wide from Aoibhin Ryan.

The South-East side were now showing their strength. This was a very intense period with the North Midlands defenders conceding several penalties. Following a final warning the referee issued a yellow card. The South East took advantage ending with substitute Shyne Leonard to scoring. Jenny Nolan converted to leave the score 12-10 at the interval.

The North Midlands controlled long periods of the second half with significant input from the pack who carried hard throughout. The Portlaoise pair of Lily Brophy (flanker) and Mila Mihajiovic (lock) were dominating the breakdown, Brophy winning seven turnovers.

This hard work allowed Catherine Lawlor to bring her threequarters into the game. Fullback, Lucy Whelan (Athy) along with centres, Adams and Isabel Murphy were showing their speed and power.

The third try came on 51 minutes when Adams showed her speed to outpace the defence out wide to score.

The South East were working very hard with a series of quick penalties keeping the North Midlands on their toes.

With 57 minutes on the clock, Adams was involved again, picking up a loose ball on her own 22. She broke the initial tackle to sprint the length of the field to score under the posts with Catherine Murphy adding the conversion.

The final try was a great example of teamwork. Initial carries by the forwards took the ball into the South East half. A quick feed from the ruck released the backs who moved the ball across the park releasing team captain, Emily Miller (Cill Dara), who scored a well-earned try. Molly Jane Dempsey converted.

NORTH MIDLANDS SQUAD:

Lucy Whelan (Athy), Molly Jane Dempsey (Portlaoise), Saffron Adams (Portlaoise), Isabel Murphy (Athy), Amarachi Obi (Portlaoise), Catherine Murphy (Athy), Kate Lawlor (Athy), Emily Julian (Athy), Avie O’Connor (Naas), Erin Powell (Portlaoise), Ruby Broughall (Cill Dara), Mila Mihajiovic (Portarlington), Abbie Delaney (Portlaoise); Lily Brophy (Portlaoise), Emily Miller (Cill Dara), Chloe Kavanagh (Portlaoise), Lucy Noons (Cill Dara), Kate Scully (Portlaoise), Aimee Deering (Cill Dara), Amelie O’Toole- Drieux (Naas), Molly Fitzpatrick (Portlaoise), Emma Behan (Cill Dara), Eabha Lawlor (Portarlington).