NUIG Ladies took on old rivals in UL on Wednesday afternoon in Dangan. As always the girls knew they were in for a difficult task as UL always provide a healthy competition each year, this year was to be no different.
From the outset each team looked determined to get one up on their opponent, unfortunately for NUIG it was UL who got off the mark first, crossing the white was through their powerful centre to dot down for 5, just ten minutes gone on the clock, the conversion easily kicked by UL scrum half leaving the score 7-0 early on to the visitors. As usual NUIG are never ones to drop their heads and from the restart began to run at the UL defensive line with intent. The next 15 minutes saw NUI camped in the UL 22 as each side produced unforced errors in abundance. ON this occasion, it was the visitors who luckily came away without conceding a point, though runs from Orla Dixon at centre and second rows Rachel Buckley and Tara Buggie all came tantalisingly close to the try line.
UL relived form a kick to the halfway point of the pitch could breathe momentarily, but a quick turn over from NUIG and a cross field kick by newcomer to the squad Amanda Forde at 10, left UL on the back foot. Dixon not needing a second thought raced to the ball, outing her soccer skills to the test, giving her the extra distance needed to outpace the UL Fullback and dot down over the whitewash for five points of her own, the score left at 7-5 to the visitors as the conversion attempt was missed by College. Unfortunately for NUIG this is where things began to fall apart. Through lack of concentration and unforced errors NUIG allowed UL to cross their try line once more in the first half, this try again dotted under the posts and converted again by the UL scrumhalf, the score at the close of the first 14-5 in favour of the Limerick students.
The second half was not to see much of an improvement for the home-side, again unforced errors came thick and fast, which UL began to capitalize on in the form of ground gained. Orla Dixon, Orla Hennessy and Colleen Nevin worked excellent in defence, holding the width of the defensive line, and preventing UL on capitalizing with extra points on numerous occasions. Faye Drohan held her own from the back of the scrum making some clinical tackles preventing excess ground being made by her opposite number time and time again. Sadly, this was not enough by the girls in maroon, as UL manage to cross the whitewash twice more in the second half, converting on each occasion to leave the final score 28-5 to the visiting side.
The girls now have a lot of work ahead of them for the remainder of the season, but with break week from the colleges competition.
We will be out this coming Sunday, away to Galwegians 2nds in the opener game of the season for the Connacht League. Kick off has been set for 2pm in Galwegians, make sure to call over to show the girls some much deserved support in what is set to be a tough opening game.
