Midlands U17 girls beat North Midlands in Sarah Robinson Cup

Midlands 33

North Midlands 26

The game opened with the normal sorting out exchanges, however a long clearance from the North Midlands was picked up in midfield the Midlands Strong running from  the backrow led to a wide pass to Tullamore’s Sophie Mc Donagh who crashed through the North Midlands defence to score on the 15m line. Sophie stepped up to convert. North Midlands responded with good ball handling among the backs with Mary O’Hara (Portlaoise). Molly Moons (PortSara) and Lily Harney making big carries. After a series of penalties Brianna Brannock (Portlaoise)  broke to score a try converted by Nichole Walsh (PortDara).  By 25 Minutes the Midlands had taken a lead of 26 points to 7 with tries from Muireann Foy (Mullingar) and Eabha O Mahony (Wilsons Hospital). Sophie converted both. 

The second half saw the North Midlands response with good interchanges between the back and forwards, however again the Midlands took advantage of the breakdown with strong rucking winning good ball for their fast backs. A try from Emily Quinn (Longford) converted by Orla Rijksen (Mullingar) making the score 33 v 7.

Showing great determination the North Midlands side carried the ball to the opposition. The backrow, led by No 8 Brianna Brannock (PortDara) now put pressure on the Midlands defence.  A supererb break from Cill Dara’s Molly Noons resulted in a try converted by Amy Schmelter (Newbridge). The North Midlands were now in charge. Another Noons’ break brought the ball back into the Midlands half. A quick release at the breakdown saw the ball move to Amy  Schmelter who released Louise Hyland (Portlaoise) to score a converted try. North Midlands confidence saw them now take the game to their opposition at speed with the backs running good angles and breaking tackles. Mary O’Hara received the ball on half-way cutting inside the defence, she sprinted over close in for a try again converted by Amy. Unfortunately, the clock was against any further play leaving the score 33 points to 26.  

North Midlands squad: Kate Ging (Portlaoise): Katelyn Bolger (Athy) Rachel Carey (Portarlington): Réaltín Whiteley (Portarlington): Louise Hyland (Portlaoise) Veronica Gorazda (Naas): Kate Doyle (Naas) Brianna Brannock (Cill Dara) Nichole Walsh (Portarlington): Eabha Lawlor (Portarlington): Molly Noons (PortDara): Isabel Murphy (Athy): Lily Harney (Naas): Mary O’Hara (Portlaoise): Avie O’Connor (Naas); Claudia Cuddy (Portlaoise): Niamh Maher (Athy): Faye Kavanagh (Athy): Kate Margaret Cameron (Naas): Fiadh Lawlor (Portarlington) Ali Bennett (Portarlington) Amy Schmelter (Newbridge)