In the aftermath of Storm Denis the elements played an important role in Sunday’s Deloitte Junior Cup match between Queen’s University and Co Cavan.

Report and pictures courtesy of Bob Given Photography

Intense sunshine alternated with rain, but always a strong, cold wind blew diagonally across the pitch. Playing with the wind Cavan were first on the scoreboard, through a short range penalty goal by Kate Bartley after 6 minutes.

Pressure on the Queen’s line yielded a try midway out, when Kathleen Dawson wriggled over, despite the attentions of the Queen’s defence. Bartley converted to leave Cavan leading 10 – 0 on 13 minutes.

The rest of the first half was scoreless with Queen’s content to play a short possession game into the wind and Cavan unable to break through a stubborn Queens defence.

The second half was barely 4 minutes old when Queen’s right winger, Sophie Hipson, broke though a number of despairing tackles to score an unconverted try wide out.

For the remainder of the quarter Queen’s used the wind to keep Cavan pressed back in their half.

On 20 minutes Queen’s out half, Diane Ramsay, found space inside the Cavan ’22’ to sprint over for a try under the posts, converted by Ruth Montgomery, to give Queens a 12 – 10 lead.

For the last 10 minutes Cavan camped inside the Queen’s ’22’ and only a series of last ditch tackles prevented a Cavan score.

Queen’s now progress to the semi final on the back of this 12 – 10 win.

We caught up with captain Rachael McIlroy and vice captain Duaa Qureshi after the game. (You’ll get some idea of the wind in this interview! )

BIG GALLERY BELOW