Ulster U18 Women came up short against Leinster U18 Women, in their second Interprovincial of the series, with a late brace form Leinster settling the game 7 – 22 in the visitors favour.

It was a hard fought game at Portadown RFC with the teams tuning round 7 – 12 after an Ava Fanning try and Lisa Mullen conversion had pulled Ulster back into contention after going behind to two early Leinster scores.

However, Ulster were on the back foot for most of the second half and, despite the home teams admirable defence and commitment, Leinster were able to consolidate their win with two late tries.

Ulster will be disappointed they didn’t get more out of a close contest but they will travel with some confidence to Barnhall RFC next Saturday where they face Munster in the final week.

Ulster U18: Ruth Gilsenan, Sophie Kinghan, Amanda McQuade, Kelly McCormill, Emma Ryan, Lisa Mullen, Amber Redmond, Ella Garland, Aoife Cahill, Ava Fannin, Sorcha Higgins, Naomi McCord, Lucy Turkington, Katie Hetherington, Ciara Byers. Replacements: Cara O’Neil, Delyth Cook, Hannah Cooney, Fern Wilson, India Daley, Zoe Rafferty,  Zara Flack, Toni Macartney.

Leinster U18: Ella Roberts, Caoimhe O’Callaghan, Ali Miley, Kathryn Dempsey, Molly Fitzgerald, Ava Jenkins, Jane Waters, Meadhbh O’Callaghan, Jessica Keating, Rachel Murtagh, Judy Bobbett, Holly Leach, Katelynn Doran, Niamh Hickey, Meadbh Scally. Replacements: Emily Slater, Ellie Meade, Nicola Gibson, Ivanna Dempsey, Rachel Winters, Ciara Carbery, Kate Farrell, Ciara Faulkner

Gallery below

Picture credit Bob Given Photography and John McMurtry