Women’s 1st XV 5-20 Highfield (A) 27.09.2015

In round two of the All Ireland League the St. Marys girls came up short away to Highfield in Woodleigh Park, with the final score St Marys 5 – Highfield 20. Highfield scored the opening points of the match with wing Jayne Pennefather getting her team’s first try of the match. Referee Roy O’Flynn sent St. Marys player Darine Frawley to the sin bin at the 37 minute mark for persistent coming in at the side of rucks. Whilst the women in blue were down to only 14 players captain Grainne Egan crossed the try line for St. Marys only score of the game. This was a set piece dominated match with a high number of penalties and knockons coming from both sides. The match was all square at half time with a score of 5-5. The Marys girls put the Highfield pack under a serious amount of pressure after one of their second rows saw yellow at the 62 minute mark. Molly O’Toole made her debut for St. Marys as a temporary injury substitute for centre Saidhbhe O’Riordan, Caroline Hannigan also came onto the pitch for flanker Darine Frawley. In a game that only really opened up in the last 15 minutes of play Highfield went on to score three tries to finish the game at the 73, 83 and 88 minute marks. It was a tough game for both teams as the final whistle wasn’t blown until the clock struck 89 minutes. The standout players of the game were front row Ann-Marie Rooney who played her last game for Marys before her year long career break from rugby, Aoife Moore who achieved her second cap for St. Marys against her ex-teammates Highfield, and Grainne Egan as captain who led her team by example and scored the St. Marys try. The girls in blue will be looking to get back to winning ways next week in a home game against Blackrock rfc.