Girls Opening Weekend
The first action of the season in Merrion Road fell to the Wanderers Sharks U14 girls in the metro league against Clontarf. Set on the new 3G pitch, both sides showed great commitment and skill while navigating a full-size pitch and positional changes for the first time.
Clodagh Mcloughlin kicked off the game with a well-practised deep kick to set the game where we wanted to play. Clodagh’s place-kicking secured the conversation points from an early diving try from scrum-half Florence Ferguson created by a counter ruck in the opposition 22.
With plenty of scrums, the ball was passed from 9 to 10 and out to the wings, creating more scoring opportunities for the Sharks' backline. Kiela continued breaking through and making ground with her favoured defensive hand-offs, allowing the team to stay on top for much of the first half.
In the second half, full back Eleanor Hobbs cut a gap in the Clontarf defence line and, with a change in direction, ran the second half of the pitch with a chasing team to touch down under the posts.
Clontarf made a great comeback in the second half, but the Wanderers girls were not to be denied with a 41-24 full-time result.
Congratulations to the entire squad on all their hard work leading into the season!
Wanderers Vipers U16 Girls were in action at Old Belvedere with our partner teams Blackrock, Seapoint, Old Belvedere and Terenure against a strong Clontarf U16 team in the metro cup.
Another good performance from the Viper Girls' creative running game. Some super kick-throughs, exhaustive counter-rucking, and a solid scrum gave them the edge.
The scrums are fully contested, and Millie Sunderland is proving her worth at this new age group both in the scrum at 5 and around the breakdown area.
Winning line out ball for Maud Carey (Seapoint) by lifters Róisìn Armie and our captain Theha Veeran with fantastic support play and good running lines added to the tally, and a kick and chase ball could be the try of the season. In the closing minutes, a momentary lapse in concentration allowed Clontarf in for a late score with a well-converted try, but Vipers finished with a solid performance and a second win of the season, closing the game out at 29-7 full-time score.
Aryania Purser and Natasha Tynan are working the sideline supporters and assisting the backroom support. We await their return to play later in the season.
