Ulster Rugby v Munster

ULSTER WOMEN’S INTERPROVINCIAL SERIES ROUND-UP

The Ulster Women, sponsored by Deloitte, approached the 2017 Interprovincial Series with a renewed sense of excitement under the new coaching team of Derek Suffern, Davy Chambers and James McBriar.

The new coaching group had been working with the players at training camps and sessions, since an initial screening session in August, and enthusiasm was strong throughout the squad. ROUND 1 ULSTER WOMEN 10 LEINSTER WOMEN 34 The Ulster Women began their Interprovincial campaign on Sunday 3rd December with a gallant performance against reigning champions Leinster, but it was the Leinster Women who went home from Dromore RFC with a deserved win. Ulster played with massive heart and resilience from the first whistle to last and spent the first 20 minutes on the front foot in Leinster territory. Frustratingly, the home side could not find a gap in the blue wall. Leinster led 10-0 at the break following tries from Aimee Clarke and Lindsey Peat out wide on the right. Ulster had been tight and controlled in that first half and tried to limit Leinster's opportunities but they were being tested to the limit by the probing Leinster side.

However, any thoughts of an Ulster revival were quickly extinguished when Railway Union full-back Susan Vaughan crossed the whitewash for her side's fourth try of the day and a 22-5 lead. Excellent teenage winger Clarke scored her second and third tries of the day before the end, one of which was converted by Donnelly. To their credit, Ulster never dropped the heads and kept doing the right things right to the end. They were rewarded with a late try from impressive replacement Teah Maguire. ULSTER SCORERS Tries: Eliza Downey, Teah Maguire LEINSTER SCORERS Tries: Aimee Clarke 3, Lindsay Peat, Michelle Claffey, Susan Vaughan; Cons: Aine Donnelly 2. ROUND 2 MUNSTER WOMEN 32 ULSTER WOMEN 5 On Saturday 9th December the Ulster Women fell to a 32-5 defeat away to eventual champions Munster in the second round of the Women's Interprovincial Series at Garryowen RFC. Following a tight first half, the home side ran away with the game in the second half, with five of their six tries coming after the interval. Munster, captained by experienced flanker Siobhan Fleming, cut loose after the break and showed how impressive and dynamic they can be. There were several handling errors from both side early on as the freezing conditions affected the fingers. The opening try arrived in the 20th minute when Munster won a turnover on halfway and moved the ball wide for Syphonia Pua to break up the wing, Rachel Allen supported her UL Bohemians club-mate

ULSTER WOMEN’S RUGBY UPDATE Early in the second half, centre Michelle Claffey sliced through to stretch the lead further with a fine try, converted by Aine Donnelly, and the advantage was becoming ever clearer. Nonetheless, Ulster managed to hit back with a five-pointer from former Ireland winger Eliza Downey.

There was a glimmer of hope for the hosts as the gap was slightly more manageable at 17-5. Their hard-working pack drew huge inspiration as Cooke hooker Beth Cregan led impressively from the front. Brittany Hogan, who was fresh off the plane from playing for the Ireland Sevens Development team in Dubai, captain Larissa Muldoon and Kathryn Dane were excellent and the handling was impressive as replacements made big impacts.

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