The Women's club season kicked off last weekend with a full programme of fixtures across three divisions as well as the annual Rosie Stewart Memorial bowl which was contested by the provinces two senior clubs, Cooke and Enniskillen.
At Judges Road, City of Derry hosted the Annual Rosie Stewart Memorial Bowl.
This year Cooke and AIL newcomers Enniskillen went head-to-head in what is becoming the traditional curtain-raiser of the local women’s game.
Played before a large crowd, Cooke came out on top, 27-15. It was a thrilling game from the very start, with Cooke’s greater senior experience helping them to victory.
Sunday also saw the commencement of the domestic leagues with 11 matches taking place across the Women’s Premiership and Championship.
In their first ever game in the Women’s Premiership, Virginia travelled to Rifle Park to take on Banbridge. The Cavan side put in a spirted performance, but in the end Banbridge came out on top 47-12.
Queens University took on Ballymena at The Dub and came away with a 39-5 win, while at Gibson Park, Malone edged out Clogher Valley 19-12.
In Championship A, Randalstown won a close encounter against Ballynahinch 24-20.
Early tries from Holly Ferguson and Elizabeth Cullen helped Randalstown to a 12-0 half-time lead.
It got better for the hosts early in the second half when Anna Taylor extended their lead to 17-points, before Ballynahinch replied with a try of their own to make the scoreline 17-5.
A penalty try for Randalstown looked to have sealed the win, but Ballynahinch launched a roaring comeback, but it was a case of too little, too late for the Hinch and Randalstown held on for a 24-20 win.
Elsewhere in Championship A, Dungannon were too strong for league newcomers Letterkenny 36-17, while City of Armagh got the better of a new-look City of Derry.
There were also wins for Lisburn, Omagh and Portadown over Belfast Harlequins, Coleraine and Ophir respectively.
In Championship B, Monaghan got their season off to a great start against Queens University 2nds, and Lurgan got the better of Strabane in the Tyrone sides first outing in the league.
Weekend Results
Rosie Stewart Memorial Bowl
Cooke 27-15 Enniskillen
Women’s Premiership
Queens University 39-5 Ballymena
Banbridge 47-12 Virginia
Malone 19-12 Clogher Valley
Women’s Championship A
City of Armagh 43-0 City of Derry
Letterkenny 17-36 Dungannon
Lisburn 24-20 Belfast Harlequins
Omagh 39-10 Coleraine
Ophir 12-31 Portadown
Randalstown 24-20 Ballynahinch
Women’s Championship B
Monaghan 61-12 Queens University 2nds
Strabane 0-54 Lurgan