Ruthless Portlaoise girls claim three wins

It was billed as Super Saturday and for the Portlaoise girls it certainly turned out that way. Three clubs travelled to Togher in to play matches in the Region One Leinster League.

First up were the U-15 girls who played a side selected from Cill Dara, Westmanstown and Naas. An early scoring opportunity was missed by Portlaoise when the ball was cruelly grounded past the dead ball line.

Cill Dara respond with a break away try. Portlaoise reorganised their lines and scored a well worked try. Cill Dara replied with another breakaway try and Portlaoise added another try resulting from good handling.

It was clear that Cill Dara was relying on a single fast runner and Portlaoise changed their tactics to combat this. In the second half Portlaoise opened a gap of two tries and maintained that position to emerge deserving winners.

Emma Startin and Jorja Mullen scored two tries each, while Áine Comphuijsen, Clodagh Behan and Robyn Mullen picked up one each.

The U-18s now tackled Tullamore. The first ten minutes proved to be a see-saw affair but once Portlaoise scored their first try, their confidence grew and what transpired was and exhibition of well-practiced moves and individual talent.

The Portlaoise defence was superb and snuffed out any chance Tullamore that had of scoring. The forwards were well disciplined with very few penalties conceded. The backs created many options.

Tries by Orlaith Phelan and Anna O’Neill were complimented by tries from Eimear Lynam and Emma Hooban. Anna O’Neill converted twice to yield a final score of 24-0

The U18s then faced Naas and a similar pattern emerged to the previous match.

The strength and depth of the coaching was clearly in evidence. Portlaoise were organised in attack and defence. Fitness played a big part.

Although Portlaoise had just played a game it was obvious that they were at a fitness level higher than Naas who were playing for the first time.

A hat-trick by Eimear Corri and a try by Rebecca Mullen coupled with three conversions with no reply from Naas sealed the victory. Orlaith Phelan was chosen as ‘Player of the Match’ for the afternoon.