Rejenerate Cup quarter final - take two!

On Sunday the North Down women were on the road again when they travelled to Neillsbrook Park in Randalstown in the replay of the Rejenerate Cup quarter final. As expected this was again a very closely fought contest with North Down only just edging ahead in the dying minutes of the game.

The match got underway with full back Mollie Moore fielding the Randalstown kick off and set up a good clean ruck on the North Down ten-metre line. The home team however pounced on a loose ball and using their powerful forwards worked their way back up to within touching distance of the try line for what looked certain to be an early score. North Down had different ideas and stood firm in defence while the Randalstown forwards pounded their lines. Pressure was relieved when open side Flanker Victoria Presho latched onto ball in the ruck earning a penalty for the girls in blue.

With Randalstown putting in huge tackles and some big hits at the ruck North Down just couldn’t manage to retain any decent possession. From a scrum on the North Down five-meter line Randalstown opted to pick from the base and used their powerful number eight to drive over in the corner for an unconverted try.

The next quarter of the game was played between the North Down 10 meter line and the Randalstown try line as North Down began to get to grips with the physicality of the home team. North Down were by now getting stronger and stronger in defence with Karen Bowen and Colleen Hutchinson putting in some bone crunching tackles, and Mollie Moore pressuring her opposite number with some great kick chases. In attack North Down were also starting to string together some decent phases of play but they just could not break down a resolute Randalstown defence.

Half time score Randalstown 5 – 0 North Down

The second half started much the same as the first period had ended with the two teams trying to break down the defence of the other side. Randalstown started to suffer from the physicality of the contest with several of their players picking up knocks. This seemed to give the Northdown squad an air of confidence and they again managed to string together multiple phases taking play deep into the opposition twenty-two and putting huge pressure on the Randalstown defence. North Down were awarded a penalty ten meters from the try line. Captain Shel Laffin took a quick tap and spun the ball out to Mollie Moore who carved her way through the defence to score an unconverted try wide out to the left, bringing the score to all square.

Randalstown were not going to take this lying down, and again used their forwards to batter their way back up field. From a penalty on the half way line they released their pacey full back who looked certain to outflank the defence down the right wing. North Down managed to scramble their defence and bundled her into touch just eight meters form the line. Jordan Winters won good clean ball at the front of the lineout, but a very alert Randalstown back row stormed through and held up scrum half Bex McBratney in the tackle winning the scrum. Again, Randalstown used their Number eight to pick from the base of the scrum setting up quick ruck for their loose head prop to crash over for a second try.

With only ten minutes left in the game North Down decided to throw everything they had at the opposition putting pressure on them every opportunity they had. Winger Anna Robinson pounced on a loose pass and set up a ruck on in the mid field. North Down spun the ball wide. Sam Smallwood on the opposite wing chipped through and chased with Laffin in support. As Laffin stretched to touch down in the corner a Randalstown covering defender pushed her off the ball leaving the referee with no other option than to award a penalty try. Score 10 – 12.

From the restart the ball was kicked deep into the North Down territory and finally rolled into touch on the twenty-two meter line. North Down opted for a shortened lineout and moved to blind side flanker Emma Coey who put in a barn storming run carrying the ball up to almost the ten meter line. Number eight Hutchinson picked from the ruck and set off like a locomotive as she outpaced the retreating defence only to be caught by the covering winger just inside the Randalstown twenty two. North Down recycled the ball and spun it wide, but a loose pass saw the ball drift into touch.

Randalstown won the lineout and worked their way back to the ten-meter line only to knock on. With the scrum being the last play Hutchinson picked from the base of the scrum and made no mistake this time as she crossed the line to leave the final score at 10 – 17.

North Down have another quick turnaround with Queens 2s traveling to Upritchard Park for the semi-final this Sunday afternoon. Please come along and give them your support. Kick-off is at 1:00pm.

North Down Team: P Moore, S Marshall, D Perry, H Simpson, J Winters, E Coey, V Presho, C Hutchinson, B McBratney, S Laffin, S Smallwood, K Bowen, A Eadie, A Robinson, M Moore, J Shaw, J Patterson, E Glynn

{Report and photo courtesy of Gary Presho, Ards RFC]