On a soggy Sunday at the Dub, Queens women hosted neighbours Belfast Harlequins in the Ulster Women’s Development League! Both sides looking to build on recent wins, this game was to be a tense affair with bonus points proving to make the difference in a league that is tight behind runaway leaders Malone.

Report by Jen Goodall. 

Harlequins, missing a number of players due to injury, could only field 11, however great recruiting among the student population meant Queen’s had 22! However the students lack of match experience showed as Quins scored their first try within minutes of the kick off with rookie Liadh Broughton gassing the wing for the first of her bag of tries. Queen’s rallied from the early upset though and settled into the game well with some fluid passing and penetrating runs.

Harlequins are only in their second season since rebuilding, however the extra experience showed in the breakdown with possession being turned over against the run of play. This coupled with big physical runs from the pack meant it wasn’t long before rampant runner Broughton ran in another brace before the break!

Queen’s started the second half well with increased ruck security and a fire in their eyes and for the most part it was more positive from the students. Despite a massive effort though they simply couldn’t get near the line and Broughton added another 2 and a conversion before the end!

Quins will be glad to come away from the Dub with the bonus point as Lisburn pile on the pressure for 3rd in the table! The Blaris belles were handed a walkover from Randalstown who were unable to field. And Malone carried on their rampant rage through the development teams recording their 4th BP win on the trot against Omagh.

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