Women: Rosie Stewart Cup Finals Day.

It’s a fantastic day of Women’s rugby this Sunday afternoon at Shaws Bridge Belfast with The Rosie Stewart Cup Final preceded by three play of matches as the Ulster Women’s Cup competitions reach their climax.

The top of the bill match features Cooke against Enniskillen in the Rosie Stewart Final, KO 2:30pm, with the girls from the West looking to cause a major upset by taking on the favourites on their home ground.

Having progressed this far unbeaten, the Skins girls certainly stand a good chance, especially with classy players Brenda Brogan and Gemma McCutcheon available, but they will have to be prepared to take on the Cooke girls up front. McCutcheon will combine with captain Helen Carleton to form the basis of a strong back row and feisty scrum half Noreen Neathercott will add an extra ingredient at the breakdown.

If the Skins girls are going to come out on top they will have to figure out a way to stop Cooke flyer Eliza Downey who’s notched up an impressive 12 tries already this campaign. Downey certainly looks to have rediscovered the form that saw her feature for Ireland in the last World Cup and, speaking to the Front Row Union earlier today, Downey is certainly looking forward to what promises to be a great showcase for the Women’s game

We hear there is plenty of support coming from the West and we would encourage any avid rugby fans to come down to enjoy what we hope to be a tough, physical exciting game of rugby.

Sunday’s finals are a great show case of the skill, commitment, development and talent that is happening in Ulster ladies rugby

The Third Place play off  features City of Derry against Belfast Harlequins in a game that is too close to call. Both teams have shown variable form this season and after last seasons epic encounters in the League and Cup it promises to be a hard fought contest between these perennial rivals.

However the Fifth Place play off between the much improved Queens and the dark horses from Sligo could be the most entertaining match of the day with both sides playing  some excellent rugby throughout the Cup. Expect plenty of scores in this one with both teams keen to attack.

The Seventh place match features Cavan and Carrick and it’s expected that the Cavan girls will be two strong for last seasons finalists.

Though the current Irish internationals wont be available for any of the teams it is exciting to note that all sides taking part feature players who were involved with the Ulster squad in this seasons Inter Provincials, showing the expanding depth of talent in the Local woman’s game.

Finals Day will be held at Shaws Bridge in Belfast on Sunday 19 February 2012.

Matches (subject to confirmation by each team):
12:30	7th Place	Cavan	v	Carrick
13:00	5th Place	Queens	v	Sligo
13:00	3rd Place	City of Derry	v	Belfast Harlequins
14:30	Final	Cooke	v	Enniskillen