On a drizzly damp afternoon Balbriggan ladies travelled to Navan for their 4th league encounter. On the back of 3 good wins Balbriggan took the game to Navan from the off. Lorna McKenna on catching the kick off went on a rampaging run making 45 metres. Quick recycling of the ball and quick hands across the backs freed Kelly Morgan and she touched down. Balbriggan were 0 v 5 up within the first 3 mins and off to a flyer. Navan settled and some big carrys from their pack helped them gain yards but a turn over from Anne O’Brien gave Balbriggan a scrum on the halfway line. Siobhan Verdon made a break and off loaded to Kelly Morgan who drew the defender and popped the ball inside to the speedy Anne O’Brien in support and she touched down.10 were points up after 20 minutes. Navan again picked and drove with the ball with their forwards, but some outstanding defence from Karen Heffernan, Eadaoin Cannon and Tracey McFadden meant Navan resorted to kicking. Val Van Veen like a good Munster full back caught the ball and set the counter attack in motion. Some good carries from Davina, Lisa and Steph sucked the Navan defence across the field. Anne and Eadaoin secured quick ball and Rachel Mulligan chipped the ball behind the Navan defence. Laura Hamilton gave chase and secured the ball, then Rachel Mulligan popped to Siobhan Verdon who carried forward. Some swift passing and Dearbhla Sheridan ran in try no.3.
Half time 0 v 15 to Balbriggan. Navan came on strong early in the 2nd half and got their reward with a try but that was the last time they got inside the Balbriggan 22. Some excellent rugby was played and the tackling display from the Balbriggan ladies was superb. A scrum for Balbriggan on their 10 metre line allowed Dearbhla release newbie Joanne Moore into space and she sprinted 55 metres before being caught just shy of the line. The ball was secured and Dearbhla took the pass and strolled in under the posts. Bonus point secured. Kick off and Kelly Morgan returned the kick 50 metres back down the field. Pressure from Joanne Moore, Anne O’Brien and Siobhan Verdon meant Balbriggan got the scrum. And 3 phases later Dearbhla ran through a tiring Navan defence for her hat trick and Balbriggan’s 5th try. Final score 5 v 29.
Another big win with a bonus point but this was a real team effort built on solid defence with only 2 tries conceded in 4 games and working hard for each other. A big thank you to all who travelled and supported the team. Thanks to Michelle Hutcheson and Swords Orthodontics for sponsoring the ladies training tops, and to club sponsors Progressive Credit Union and Luke Moriarty and SuperValu Balbriggan for the new ladies jerseys. Great day for the ladies.
