Queens University came into the final with confidence following a successful league campaign, missing out on a WAIL play-off spot by a single point to Enniskillen. Whilst Malone have enjoyed a successful season of their own, reaching the WAIL Junior Cup final earlier this year, despite being beset with injuries.
It was Queens that kicked off, and it wasn’t until the ninth minute that Malone had a brief sojourn into opposition territory. The opening exchanges were mainly consigned to close quarters, and it was the students that made the early running. The Malone side, however, defended resolutely – holding up Queens over the line – and, shortly after, Sarah Murphy showed good strength over the ball to come up with a crucial turnover. Queens persistence eventually paid off when their talismanic skipper, Rebecca Mann, crossed the whitewash for an opportunistic score following a Malone handling error. Creighton stroked over the extras for an early 7-0 lead.
Malone began to show glimpses of their attacking flair, and following an intelligent kick from the backfield by Shirelle Wilson, found themselves deep into enemy territory for the first time but, before long, again found themselves hemmed in and back on defensive duties.
Queens scrum half Rachel McIlroy brought the crowd to their feet with a moment of magic off the back of a malfunctioned lineout, jinking her way through the Malone defence to come within inches of scoring. Following a Malone infringement, Queens quickly seized the initiative with a tapped penalty, and with a quick recycled ball, Sarah Roberts burrowed over from close range. Creighton again split the kindling with the conversation to stretch the lead to 14 points after 26 minutes.
Malone were again required to soak up further pressure from their Belfast rivals, with the Queens scrum starting to assert their dominance. Queens looked odds-on to pick up a third try as the first half came to a close, as they bludgeoned their way towards the try line, but it was Cara O’Neill that thwarted this attack with some good work at the breakdown to secure the turnover.
Half Time – Queens University Belfast 14-0 Malone
At the beginning of the second half, Queens found themselves quickly back on the attack. It was a fine delayed pass from Maebh Clenaghan that saw her unlock some space behind the Malone defence for her front-row colleague Roberts. This produced some quick ball for the backs, which ultimately resulted in a Malone infringement close to the goal goalline. Number 8 Ruby Starrett took it upon herself to take the tapped penalty and bulldozed her way over for the third try of the afternoon. Creighton erred with the tricky conversation, leaving the score at 19-0 with 35 minutes to play.
Shortly after, Malone enjoyed their best attack of the game as Jill Stephens and Anna Stanfield got them in behind the Queens defence as they made swift progress up the pitch. Bronach acted as spoiler-in-chief for the students, stifling the promising attack, as she forced the holding-on penalty.
Malone continued to ask questions of the Queens defence, with Jill Stephens again dancing her way in behind the defence. This perseverance was rewarded on the 64th minute, as Niamh Fulton crashed over, following a well-worked lineout move, to cut the deficit to 14 points.
Both teams continued to show lots of endeavour in the closing stages, but as Queens were awarded a penalty at scrum time following a destructive forward drive, all that was left for the students to do was kick the ball into touch. Referee Kerr’s final whistle was met with jubilation from the women in blue, who secured the 24/25 Junior Cup trophy.
Full Time – Queens University Belfast 19-5 Malone
At the full-time whistle, Queens head coach Ollie Millar heaped the praise on his players and support staff – ‘I am absolutely delighted for them; they have put in so much hard work and sacrifice, and I thought they were deserving of their win on the day.’
