The Women’s First XV continued their promising start to season with a great win on the road at Naas
last Sunday. Forenaughts has not been a happy hunting ground for Balbriggan in recent years and
the approaching Storm Ashley meant it was always going to be a difficult day for both sides.
Balbriggan kicked off with the benefit of the elements and put the hosts under immediate pressure.
The scrum, which proved to be a weapon all day, dominated an early engagement, driving Naas off
their own ball and quick hands saw Shannon Campbell crossing for the opening score. Having run
around under the posts she completed the conversion for a seven point lead.
Balbriggan continued to take advantage of the strong wind to keep Naas pinned deep in their own
half and the pressure soon resulted in another score. Naas trying to play out from their own 5m line
were turned over and after a couple of surges from the forwards quick hands saw Shannon almost in
for a second try. Instead great cover defence held her up just short of the line. From the ensuing
ruck, Logan Flanagan took advantage of the stretched defence to dive over. Shannon judged the
wind magnificently to add the extras.
Naas did well to keep Balbriggan out again as the visitors camped in their half and in truth Balbriggan
could and probably should have had a couple more scores. Eventually from a line out on their own
10m line Balbriggan struck again. A lovely line off Logan’s shoulder saw Dearbhla Sheridan scythe
through the defence where only a desperate cover tackle stopped a certain score. However a quick
recycle saw full back Sarah McDonald race in to score in the corner from 20m out. This time the
conversion was missed. Balbriggan now led 19-0 as we approached the break.
Unfortunately, Sarah had to leave the field shortly after having picked up a knock on her knee. Her
sister Laura replaced her and nearly had a score of her own as we approached the break. Balbriggan
were almost in again but the ball was lost forward in the act of touching down for a score that would
not have flattered their first half dominance. From the resulting goal line drop out a sliced kick in
midfield saw the Naas centre react quickest and race home from 60m out. The conversion left the
hosts 7-19 down at the break.
The second half started with Naas reinvigorated by their late score and with an ever-strengthening
wind it was the hosts turn to set up camp in the Balbriggan 22. Balbriggan repelled a succession of
Naas attacks but started to give away a number of penalties. Eventually Naas took the option of
kicking for goal from one of these opportunities and reduced the deficit by 3.
As both teams tired the introduction of a number of subs gave Balbriggan some fresh impetus. Some
strong carries from Holly Keogh and the very impressive Eadaoin Cannon created space for Logan to
exchange passes with Rachel Fanning and burst through the defence to score the bonus point try
from half way. Shannon couldn’t add the difficult conversion and the lead was out 24-10.
Naas showed their worth by then laying siege to the Balbriggan line where some fantastic goal line
defence kept them at bay. After turning the ball over an attempted clearance kick from behind her
own line by Dearbhla was charged down allowing Naas the easiest of scores under the posts. The
resultant conversion brought the hosts to within one score.
It was Balbriggan that finished the stronger though. From the base of scrum on our 22, player of the
match Eadaoin, picked and carried play up to the 10m line. Two further surges by Ava Govern and
Sydney Sterio created time and space for the backs. Great interplay between Dearbhla, Shannon and
Laura brought play into the Naas half where Logan spotted a gap at the fringe of the ruck. She
darted through and drew a couple of defenders before releasing captain on the day Louise McCleery
to race home from 40m for a fantastic team try. Shannon judged the wind correctly to add the extras
and restore Balbriggan’s 14 point lead.
This score finally killed off the Naas challenge and Balbriggan was able to see out the final 5 minutes
without too many scares. Final Score Naas 17 Balbriggan 31.
A great result for the team who have now won two tough away games in a row. The League
continues with a home game on 27th October against Tullamore. All support welcome.