The Women’s All Ireland League returns this weekend with Blackrock College looking to maintain their 100% start to the Top Four Competition.
Suttonians find themselves at the top of the conference section after three bonus point wins from their opening three games, but face a tough task ahead of them this weekend as they face off with second placed Ballincollig at Tanner Park.
Old Belvedere v Blackrock College, Saturday 12th February, Ollie Campbell Park, 3pm.
Belvo will be hoping for a stronger end to the campaign than they have started, after picking up just one point from their opening three games. Belvo fell to a narrow 11-10 defeat at the hands of Railway Union last time. Blackrock College defeated title rivals UL Bohemian 31-22 after tries from Emma Hooban, Maeve Óg O’Leary and a brace from outside centre Michelle Claffey. A win for Blackrock College will see them extend their lead at the summit of the Top Four.
UL Bohemian V Railway Union, Saturday 12th February, UL Arena, 2pm.
Railway Union and Ul Bohemian will both be eager to close the gap on Rock after a mixed start to the campaign. Railway Union defeated 14-10 UL Bohemian in the top four’s opening game of the season after tries from Lindsay Peat and Niamh Byrne cancelled out Rachel Allen’s first half try for the Limerick side. Railway beat Old Belvedere and will be hungrier than ever to gain momentum heading into the business end of the campaign.
Galwegians v Malone, Saturday 12th February, Crowley Park, 2:30pm.
Wegians fell to their first defeat of the conference competition last time out against league leaders Suttonians. Lisa Marie Murphy has been in fantastic try scoring form for the Connacht side with four tries in her last three games. Malone are currently sitting in fifth place in the standing, yet to register a win since the beginning of the conference competition. The Belfast outfit fell to a 12-13 defeat at home to AIL season debutants Wicklow last time out.
Cooke v Wicklow, Saturday 12th February, Shaw’s Bridge, 2:30pm.
Basement side Cooke host fourth placed Wicklow at Shaw’s Bridge this weekend and will be eager to end their season in good form after a poor start to their campaign. Cooke played some decent rugby during their defeat against Ballincollig last week and will be keen to turn their good performances into wins in the coming weeks. Wicklow registered their first victory of the conference competition with a big away win over Malone last week. Emma Curran’s try and eight points from the boot of the ever reliable Beth Roberts sealed the win for the Ashtown Lane outfit.
Ballincollig v Suttonians, Saturday 12th February, Tanner Park, 2:30pm.
Collig will be looking to go top of the conference competition standings this weekend with a win over Suttonians. The Dublin sider are currently two points clear at the top of the table after three bonus point victories in their first three games. Ballincollig defeated Cooke a fortnight 22-10 with tries coming from Heather Kennedy, Clare Coombes, Sinead O’Reilly and Roisin Ormonde. Meanwhile Suttonians defeated title rivals Galwegians 26-19 thanks to tries from Catherine Martin, Carrie O’Keefe and two from Emily McKeown.
Luke Delaney
Luke is a final year Journalism student in DCU. He is a Sports Reporter for Wicklow People Sport and FinalWhistle.ie.