Women: AIL Week 3 – Cooke v Blackrock.

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Sunday was something of a setback for our featured side Cooke Women RFC, who suffered their second defeat in the All Ireland League, losing 12 – 27 to Blackrock at Shaw’s Bridge. 

The win enabled Blackrock to leapfrog Cooke in the league, the Belfast side doubly disappointed in that they failed to pick up a losing bonus. 

Cooke 12 Blackrock 27

Blackrock got on the scoreboard first at Shaws Bridge with Nicole Jones replying for the home side in a tight first half. 

However Blackrock pulled clear in the second half to take a 7 – 27 lead with Brigid Collins pulling one back for Cooke at the end of the game. 

Cooke coach Grace Davitt will be working hard with her team during the one week break in league fixtures to improve defence and their work at the breakdown. 

UL Bohemians 23 Old Belvedere 12

UL Bohs stood firm on home soil to record their third win in succession this time beating league leaders Old Belvedere 23 – 12 in a hard fought match. 

Boh’s did the damage in the first half with Gill Bourke and Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird both crossing. The ever reliable Niamh Briggs converted one and added a couple of penalties to give Bohs an 18 – 0 lead at the break. 

Belvo hit back in the second half with Kathryn Dane crossing after a period of pressure from the Dublin side and with Marie Louise Reilly adding the conversion the deficit was reduced to nine points. However a timely second score from Nic a Bhaird gave her team a substantial lead to defend and despite Sophie Spence crossing for the visitors the Limerick side held on for the win, with Niamh Kavanagh to the fore in defence. 

Despite the defeat Belvo will take some comfort in the return of centre Jenny Murphy who came through the second half unscathed. 

Railway Union 8 Galwegians 26

I’d predicted a surprise win for Railway in this match but the Galwegians half backs proved to be the deciding force in the second half. 

Railway dominated the first half with a try from Emma Taylor and a penalty from Nikki Caughey but they turned round only one point to the good with Mary Healy crossing for a converted try for the visitors. 

However, with Railway rocked by injuries in the second half, the Connacht side cut loose with Nicole Fowley crossing twice before Emma Cleary touched down for the bonus point score, the win taking Galwegians to the top of the league. 

St. Mary’s 25 Highfield 17

St Mary’s overpowered Highfield at home with the home side’s big names making the difference. 

Paula Fitzpatrick, returning from her spell with Toulouse, led the way with a hat trick of tries before Carol Staunton and Orla Fitzsimons also crossed.

Highfield responded with a couple of converted tries and a penalty but the home side held their nerve to record their first win of the season and a bonus point one at that. 

League Standings

A bit of movement this week so here’s how they stand going into a one week break. 

TeamPWDLFAPDTBLBPTSGalwegians330011156553015U.L. Bohemian33009324691013Old Belvedere32016026342010Blackrock32013236-4109Cooke31026978-9116St. Mary’s31023063-33116Railway Union RFC30032755-28022Highfield300320104-84000

Featured Gallery: Cooke v Blackrock by Ian Humes.

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