RUGBY | Spirited Longford ladies lost out to New Ross following cracking encounter

Longford came up against table toppers and unbeaten New Ross in what turned out to be a cracking game of rugby at CPL Park on Sunday last.

Longford . . . 12 New Ross . . 17

Longford started well with some very well worked moves between forwards and backs which led to Tegan crossing the line early with Emma Dardis converting to give a 7-point lead. Longford spent the latter part of the second half defending their 22.

Great tackling and calm heads saw Longford clear their lines on numerous occasions, only for New Ross to attack again and again. Ross eventually broke the defence after a good scrum to see them cross the line on 30 mins to leave the score at 7 points each.

A line out past the half hour mark saw Longford attack but for New Ross defence put pressure on the Longford passing. The scrum clearance saw the visitors move back into the Longford half and solid defending was required to close out the first half.

The restart saw the play stay between the 22’s. An infringement in the scrum gave the advantage to Longford. They chose to tap and gained some ground. Another Ross infringement gave Longford another penalty.

Longford seemed more determined in their carries. The hard work was undone on the Ross 10m line with a penalty for the visitors to clear the danger. With 2 evenly matched teams the game stayed between the 22s.

On 20 minutes, New Ross won a scrum against the head to put them back inside the Longford 22. Again, Longford defended well and forced a knock on. The efforts were undone by a ruck infringement and New Ross scored the resulting penalty kick to leave score 07-10 to the visitors.

Longford were awarded a penalty on half way after a New Ross scrum infringement. Longford tapped quickly and again won a second penalty, choosing to kick this time, and the line-out was on the 22.

Longford were unable to capitalise on their possession and once again saw them defending in their 22. A Longford infringement saw New Ross kick for the corner. A well organised maul from the lineout saw them cross the line to go 10-17 ahead.

With time running out Longford now had to make something happen. From a penalty, some hard running saw Leanne Keegan cross in the corner but unfortunately the try wasn't converted. With that time was up.

With a losing bonus point secured, it puts Longford 4th in the table with 3rd placed Wicklow up next away.

This was a very spirited performance and will give them confidence going forward. They now have a weekend off before 2 very tough matches against second and third placed teams.

Longford: Jessica Stewart, Tara Gilna, Katie Lee, Dora Ledwith, Rebeka Stavuse, Marie Kellaher, Amanda Sheridan, Megan Banahan, Emma Dardis, Tegan Evans, Leanne Keegan, Leona Hoare, Rachel O’Farrell, Michelle Mulvey, Rebecca O’Hara, Mary Sheridan, Amy Molloy, Roisin Shaw, Mandy Ryan, Samantha Mchale, Jasmine Smyth, Judy Starzynska.

Ladies upcoming fixtures

29/01/23 Wicklow J1 v Longford

5/02/23 Longford v Clontarf

12/02/23 Gorey v Longford

26/02/23 Longford v Athy