Report by Niall Sweetnam
The Senior Girls Team had a rugby blitz in CIT last Wednesday. They played a total of four games against Fermoy, Schull, Bantry and Youghal.
In their first game against Fermoy they ran in three early tries within the first two minutes. After this Fermoy dropped their heads and Skibbereen’s confidence was boosted. After a period of good defence by Skibb the ball popped out of a ruck and Jasmine was quick to scoop it up and was over the opposition's try line in no time. Again, Emily turned the ball over and this time it was Ciarnad who scored off the counterattack. Ciarnad scored quickly from the kickoff as Fermoy were caught too narrow on the wings. After a period of strong attack, Skibb won a penalty and it was taken quickly by Emma who barged over the line to score from short range. In the final play of the game, Emily made a break and delivered a perfect offload to Emma who walked over the try line uncontested.
Final score 40-0 (eight tries to none).
Their next game was a tough one. A hard-fought loss to Schull.
After some hard work by Emily off the kickoff to keep Schull contained inside their own half, Schull caught Skibb narrow in defence on the outside and ran along the touch line to score in the corner. After a long period of stalemate between the two teams Skibb won a penalty close to Schull’s line and after some forwards play Emma picks and went from the back of a ruck and managed to make it over the line. Schull managed to sneak in another try with about two minutes left after a long period of possession to make it 10-5. The girls refused to give up and fought back down the pitch to Schull’s try line for one last effort. Unfortunately, the ball came loose and the game finished. A very entertaining game to watch all the way to the end.
Final score 10-5 to Schull (two tries to one try).
The third game was against a spirited Bantry side but in the end Skibb’s girls proved too strong for them.
Straight off the kickoff Emily turned the ball over and won a penalty. From this, quick hands and a nice step from Emma left a hole in the defence for the opening try. Bantry regained possession off their kickoff but couldn't hold it for long. Emily intercepted a pass to score to make it 10-0.
Again, a turnover by Emily lead to possession in Bantry’s half and after a few passes and strong carries Emma crossed the line to score. Bantry heads began to drop , Skibb kept playing good rugby and Abbey soon went over the try line after ripping the ball in the tackle. The mistakes started to pile up by Bantry as a knock on lead to Ciarnad’s fourth try of the tournament. Another knock on by Bantry lead to another try, this time from Chloe. Two more tries in the final minute sealed the game with Ciarnad getting her fifth of the day.
Final score 40-0 (eight tries to none).
The girls final game of the day was against Youghal.
From the kickoff Skibb started strongly. Skibb had all the possession but found it difficult to finish against Youghal’s defence until Niamh scored from a strong carry from the base of a ruck. Youghal gathered their own kickoff and after a period of great defensive play by Skibb on their own line the ball came loose in a strong tackle by Skibb. Jasmine was there to make the most of it and ran in uncontested to score their second try. Again, Youghal put together a long stretch of strong carries but it ended when a great counter ruck led to a turnover on Skibb’s line. Youghal’s defence got tired towards the end and Ciarnad ran in two tries. Unfortunately, Youghal got past Skibb’s defensive line towards the end of the game and scored a consolation try.
Final score 20-5 (four tries to one).