Ulster Women, sponsored by the Errigle Inn, fell to a heavy defeat at the hands of Leinster at Donnybrook on Saturday evening, as the home side ran in seven tries in the bonus point win.
Women’s Inter-Provincial Series Round 2:
Leinster Women 46-0 Ulster Women
While Leinster made all the work in the opening stages, it looked as though it would be Ulster who made the initial breakthrough try, however prop Isle van Staden was called back for crossing.
It was Leinster who opened the scoring on 19 minutes from the boot of centre Jenny Murphy, following scrum-half Alisa Hughes being taken out of a ruck.
Six minutes later some slick passing released full-back Kim Flood who put in winger Katie Fitzhenry to score, before Murphy added the extra two points.
Scrum-half Hughes then got in for a try of her own, making the most of a gap in the Ulster defence off a lineout possession to run in from 40 metres. Murphy again converted to make it 17-0 at half-time.
Leinster came flying out of the blocks in the second half as they chased the bonus point win, and it took a brave covering tackle by Ulster full-back Nikki Caughey to deny Fitzhenry.
However, Fitzhenry did get in for her second try on 50 minutes following some strong play by centre Michelle Claffey.
Ulster continued to battle gamely, but were unable to make the most of some strong carries by Caughey and centre Claire McLaughlin in particular.
Despite forcing a scrum close to the Leinster line, the hosts launched a swift counter attack, forcing a penalty which Flood kicked to the corner. From the ensuing lineout and subsequent maul, number 8 Paula Fitzpatrick touched down for the bonus point try with 20 minutes to go.
By this stage Leinster were playing much more free flowing rugby and Fitzpatrick got in for her second try of the game, followed by another from out-half Hannah Tyrell and replacement Niamh Byrne in the closing stages to compound the misery for the Ulster Women.
Leinster’s win sets up a showdown with Munster for the Inter-Provincial title next Saturday, while Ulster Women will travel to Connacht hoping to finish the campaign on a high.
LEINSTER 46 (K Fitzhenry, P Fitzpatrick 2 tries each; A Hughes, H Tyrrell, N Byrne try each; J Murphy pen, 4 cons);
ULSTER 0.
Leinster Women:
15. Kim Flood
14. Eimear Corri / Niamh Byrne 72 mins
13. Jenny Murphy
12. Michelle Claffey
11. Katie Fitzhenry / Meaghan Kenny 72 mins
10. Hannah Tyrrell
9. Alisa Hughes / Niamh Griffin 65 mins
1. Lindsay Peat / Caoimhe Molloy 72 mins
2. Jennie Finlay / Cliodhna Maloney 50 mins
3. Joanna McMahon / Fiona O’Brien 56 mins
4. Marie-Louise O’Reilly
5. Susan Fogarty
6. Ciara Cooney / Juliet Short 50 mins
7. Carmela Morey (Capt) / Katie Norris 61 mins
8. Paula Fitzpatrick.
Ulster Women:
15. Nikki Caughey / Maeve Liston 68 mins
14. Emma Jordan
13. Peita McAlister / Brittany Hogan 66 mins
12. Claire McLaughlin
11. Amy Davis / Leak McGoldrick 53 mins
10. Jemma Jackson
9. Kathryn Dane
1. Ilse Van Staden / Shauna Martin 50 mins
2. Lesley Megarity / Beth Cregan 36 mins
3. Sorcha Mac Laimhin / Brigid Collins 45 mins
4. Naomi McCullagh / Aisling O’Connell 68 mins
5. Storm Cobain / Hannah Beattie 50 mins
6. Gemma McCutcheon (Capt)
7. Ashleigh Baxter
8. Lauren Maginnes
Referee: Helen O’Reilly, IRFU.
Women’s Inter-Provincial Series Round 2:
Leinster Women 46-0 Ulster Women
While Leinster made all the work in the opening stages, it looked as though it would be Ulster who made the initial breakthrough try, however prop Isle van Staden was called back for crossing.
It was Leinster who opened the scoring on 19 minutes from the boot of centre Jenny Murphy, following scrum-half Alisa Hughes being taken out of a ruck.
Six minutes later some slick passing released full-back Kim Flood who put in winger Katie Fitzhenry to score, before Murphy added the extra two points.
Scrum-half Hughes then got in for a try of her own, making the most of a gap in the Ulster defence off a lineout possession to run in from 40 metres. Murphy again converted to make it 17-0 at half-time.
Leinster came flying out of the blocks in the second half as they chased the bonus point win, and it took a brave covering tackle by Ulster full-back Nikki Caughey to deny Fitzhenry.
However, Fitzhenry did get in for her second try on 50 minutes following some strong play by centre Michelle Claffey.
Ulster continued to battle gamely, but were unable to make the most of some strong carries by Caughey and centre Claire McLaughlin in particular.
Despite forcing a scrum close to the Leinster line, the hosts launched a swift counter attack, forcing a penalty which Flood kicked to the corner. From the ensuing lineout and subsequent maul, number 8 Paula Fitzpatrick touched down for the bonus point try with 20 minutes to go.
By this stage Leinster were playing much more free flowing rugby and Fitzpatrick got in for her second try of the game, followed by another from out-half Hannah Tyrell and replacement Niamh Byrne in the closing stages to compound the misery for the Ulster Women.
Leinster’s win sets up a showdown with Munster for the Inter-Provincial title next Saturday, while Ulster Women will travel to Connacht hoping to finish the campaign on a high.
LEINSTER 46 (K Fitzhenry, P Fitzpatrick 2 tries each; A Hughes, H Tyrrell, N Byrne try each; J Murphy pen, 4 cons);
ULSTER 0.
Leinster Women:
15. Kim Flood
14. Eimear Corri / Niamh Byrne 72 mins
13. Jenny Murphy
12. Michelle Claffey
11. Katie Fitzhenry / Meaghan Kenny 72 mins
10. Hannah Tyrrell
9. Alisa Hughes / Niamh Griffin 65 mins
1. Lindsay Peat / Caoimhe Molloy 72 mins
2. Jennie Finlay / Cliodhna Maloney 50 mins
3. Joanna McMahon / Fiona O’Brien 56 mins
4. Marie-Louise O’Reilly
5. Susan Fogarty
6. Ciara Cooney / Juliet Short 50 mins
7. Carmela Morey (Capt) / Katie Norris 61 mins
8. Paula Fitzpatrick.
Ulster Women:
15. Nikki Caughey / Maeve Liston 68 mins
14. Emma Jordan
13. Peita McAlister / Brittany Hogan 66 mins
12. Claire McLaughlin
11. Amy Davis / Leak McGoldrick 53 mins
10. Jemma Jackson
9. Kathryn Dane
1. Ilse Van Staden / Shauna Martin 50 mins
2. Lesley Megarity / Beth Cregan 36 mins
3. Sorcha Mac Laimhin / Brigid Collins 45 mins
4. Naomi McCullagh / Aisling O’Connell 68 mins
5. Storm Cobain / Hannah Beattie 50 mins
6. Gemma McCutcheon (Capt)
7. Ashleigh Baxter
8. Lauren Maginnes
Referee: Helen O’Reilly, IRFU.