ENNISKILLEN powered past a spirited Malone, scoring 30 points to their rivals’ 10 to run out deserved winners in rugby’s Women’s Junior Cup Final, claiming silverware at a sunny Affidea Stadium.
In ideal Spring conditions, the stage was set for a thrilling Cup Final, and it looked like good hands from Enniskillen were going to create the first score, Zara Flack’s athleticism seeing her break the lines and go left to winger, Amy Meeke. She sped for the corner but was denied by an excellent last-ditch tackle from the covering Jenni Collins, saving a certain try.
Enniskillen’s pressure, though, was undoubtedly building and off the resulting lineout, they did break through. The well-executed set-piece saw Sophie Meeke sweep the ball right to Lucy Thompson, who found her centre partner, Flack, to run in under the sticks. Meeke’s first conversion was off-target, so it remained just a five-pointer.
Enjoying their best spell of the final, Malone won a penalty, within kicking range. Number nine, Cindy Cancino kept play moving, though, a nifty surge seeing her enter the 22. Then, Katie-Anne McCallion and Sarah Murphy combined, trying to release Hannah Lennon, who couldn’t quite cross the whitewash.
Swinging passes left, then right, Malone were properly hammering on the door. Finally, a strong pick-and-go from Murphy yielded the try! Faced with a tricky first kick off the tee, on an angle wide left, Peita McAlister couldn’t convert, leaving it at 5-5.
Smarting, Enniskillen sought retaliation. Thompson wove some more magic, bringing the lively Amy Meeke into some space. Now inside the 22, Enniskillen switched direction, to the right, instead though seeing the attack out due to in-discipline.
However, Enniskillen were relentless, turning the ball back over at Malone’s lineout to set up an attacking platform, 15m from the try-line.
Katie Elliott’s throw went to hand and Enniskillen patiently funnelled play left, across the 22, where captain Rebecca Beacom chose her line perfectly, to run over, restoring Enniskillen’s lead. Sophie Meeke’s conversion was true and the lead was out to 12-5.
Buoyed, Enniskillen kept their foot firmly pressed to the throttle, going in search of another score, as half-time started to approach.
Malone kept them on their toes, though, dancing feet from the speedy winger Beth McDowell, forcing the maroon shirts onto the retreat.
As the sun illuminated the Affidea playing surface, both sides sensed the importance of the next score. Ruthless chasing down of a kick got the Enniskillen fans off their seats again, only for Niamh Fulton to muck in excellently at the resulting ruck, forcing a turnover.
The reprieve, however, was temporary. Thompson again sprinkled some dazzling footwork, bisecting the Malone defence and allowing full-back Dearbhla Dillion to finish fantastically in the right corner. Meeke missed the extras, yet her Enniskillen side now led 17-5.
Starting to cling on, Malone’s McDowell raced back, to prevent a try for Scarlett Keys, to keep the gap at a dozen at the interval.
HT: Enniskillen 17-5 Malone
The sun properly emerged at the start of the second half, with Enniskillen on the front foot, chasing a fourth try and an even firmer handhold than they already held, on the silverware at stake.
Malone knew they needed to haul themselves within range again but they were occupied more at the other end, a big sprint from the bulldozing Beacom prising apart the row of white-shirted defenders.
In fairness, Malone kept making their tackles, with Flack almost sending replacement, Kelly Quinn, away: three converging Malone bodies denied her!
Enniskillen’s pressure cranked up another notch, Beacom spreading play wide left to Keys, who had her angles closed down. Knowing where the space was though, Enniskillen moved the ball right at speed, allowing Moya Hill to finally dot down try number four. Replacement Eve Balfour’s conversion fell short but Enniskillen were out to 17 points ahead, 22-5.
The crowd were getting increasingly involved, Dillion drawing oohs and aahs, with some nimble moves inside her own 22.
Enniskillen supporters were raising the volume with every defensive tackle and Balfour rubbed salt in the wounds with a coolly kicked penalty, making the score 25-5.
Malone kept plugging away, their replacements energising their efforts. Enniskillen’s defence, though, was an unbreachable brick wall, as they crept ever closer to the tantalising trophy.
Both teams emptied their benches, chasing further scores but the outcome, in truth, had been decided by Enniskillen’s first-half flurry. Malone winger Lennon sped in for a consolation try, which despite a missed conversion, brought her team into double digits.
Wanting the final say, Enniskillen conjured up one last attack. Malone repelled them, only for superb ball handling by Flack, to bring in Hill, who fended off her tacklers to score her second of the day. Balfour’s missed conversion was irrelevant, as it ended 30-10 in Enniskillen’s favour.
The beaming Rebecca Beacom, surrounded by her teammates, hoisted the silverware aloft, to kickstart Enniskillen’s party, as Malone bravely fell short.
Player of the Match – Moya Hill (Enniskillen)
Teams
Enniskillen
15 Dearbhla Dillion, 14 Amy Meeke, 13 Zara Flack, 12 Lucy Thompson, 11 Scarlett Keys, 10 Farrah Cartin McCloskey, 9 Sophie Meeke, 1 Sarah Adams, 2 Katie Elliott, 3 Ciara Woods, 4 Moya Hill, 5 Kelly Beacom, 6 Sarah Corry, 7 Rebecca Beacom ©, 8 Sarah Teague
Replacements: 16 Chloe Moore, 17 Kelly Quinn, 18 Madeline Hamill, 19 Alex Kernaghan, 20 Sara Hamilton, 21 Orlaith Maguire, 22 Eve Balfour
Malone
15 Mia Ferguson, 14 Hannah Lennon, 13 Sophie Armstrong, 12 Anna Stanfield, 11 Beth McDowell, 10 Peita McAlister, 9 Cindy Cancino, 1 Sarah Murphy, 2 Katie-Anne McCallion, 3 Cara O’Neil, 4 Jenni Collins, 5 Ruby Devine, 6 Machiko Silla F Fepuleai, 7 Niamh Fulton, 8 Lauren Maginnes ©
Replacements: 16 Darcey Greer, 17 Ashleigh Currie, 18 Rebecca Greenaway, 19 Michelle Walker
Scorers
Enniskillen: Tries: Flack, Beacom, Dillion, Hill (2) Cons: S. Meeke (1) Pens: Balfour (1)
Malone: Tries: Murphy, Lennon
