Munster Win Maiden Girls Interpro Match
A well-drilled Munster side proved too strong for Ulster in last Sunday’s first ever Under-18 Girls Interprovincial match which was held at Malahide RFC. The girls from the south ran out 31-0 winners.
UNDER-18 INTERPROVINCIAL GIRLS MATCH: Sunday, May 13
MUNSTER U-18 31 ULSTER U-18 DEVELOPMENT 0, Malahide RFC
Scorers: Munster: Tries: Ashling Hutchings 3, Sarah Keane, Eileen Shanahan; Con: Sarah Keane, Ashling Hutchings 2
Ulster: –
This was the first ever outing for Ulster’s Under-18 Development team and the second for Munster’s U-18s, who played English champions Worcester recently. Munster showed the advantage of having that earlier match as they put together a performance that oozed cohesion and structure.
With their added experience, Munster showed greater organisation in creating multiple phases of play before unleashing their fast backs who certainly had the scoring knack.
Young Fermoy star Ashling Hutchings breached the Ulster defence for tries on three occasions, showing blistering pace out wide. Hutchings opened the scoring in the fifth-minute with a excellent score which went unconverted.
Munster’s second try soon followed when Clanwilliam centre Sarah Keane speared through the Ulster midfield to score a fine try which she converted herself. Five minutes later, the electric Hutchings blazed over for her second unconverted try.
Ulster gradually got into the tie and began to exert some pressure during the remainder of the first half, using their possession more effectively and attacking with poise.
17-0 in front at half-time, Munster regained control on the resumption and strung together some great phases of play. Numbers out wide allowed Eileen Shanahan from Thurles to cut through and touch down.
Hutchings, taking over from the injured Keane, tagged on the conversion and despite an Ulster revival, which saw some neat interplay from their backs and forwards, Munster ended the game on a high when Hutchings gathered a loose ball and sprinted the length of the field to nab her third try which she also converted.
Credit to Ulster though, they were not overawed by their more experienced opponents and the score-line was perhaps flattering to a Munster team that could become a force to reckon with, with more matches under their belts.