28 Sep Women’s 2nd XV in Hard Battle at CYM
Women’s Leinster League Div 3: Round 1 – Sunday 27th September.
CYM 21 Navan 10, CYM RFC, Terenure.
Navan Scorers:
Tries: Paula Keating, Irene van der Westhuizen.
The Women’s Leinster League campaign got underway on Sunday, 27th September, with our Women’s adult teams launching their respective campaigns in the Leinster Women’s League.
While our Women’s 1st XV picked up a win following a concession by New Ross RFC, our Women’s 2nd XV put in a brave, hard-fought performance on the road against CYM RFC in Terenure.
Captain Anna Mennis led out a Navan side featuring an exciting blend of experienced campaigners and new faces for their Division 3 opener against a sharp CYM team fresh off promotion from Division 4 last season.
Playing in blustery, wet conditions, Navan found themselves under pressure early as CYM capitalized on yellow cards that reduced the visitors to 14 players for extended periods of the first half.
Navan showed fantastic character to reset after the break. With discipline restored, Navan dominated the second-half exchanges and launched a spirited comeback; Paula Keating got Navan on the board with a sharp, quick-thinking solo try.
Competitive debutant Irene van der Westhuizen capped off a superb team move in the corner to score her first try for the club.
Though time ultimately ran out before Navan could secure a losing bonus point, it was a highly encouraging squad display to launch the new league season.
Congratulations to number eight Rhiannon Burton, who was named Player of the Match following a dominant performance in the back row!
It was also a memorable afternoon for the club as five players earned their official competitive senior caps for Navan RFC; Emily Tarrant, Rhiannon Burton, Irene van der Westhuizen, Andrea Poulton, Sadhbh Reilly-Tuite.
Navan RFC Women’s 2nd XV Matchday Squad:
Starting XV:
1. Emily Tarrant, 2. Rebecca Lowry, 3. Anna Mennis (Capt), 4. Thanuja Dharmasena, 5. Victoria Quinn, 6. Allie Flynn, 7. Tara Quinn, 8. Rhiannon Burton, 9. Paula Keating, 10. Anna McGarry, 11. Alanna Kelly, 12. Geraldine Lynch, 13. Siobhain Beggy, 14. Irene van der Westhuizen, 15. Andrea Poulton.
Replacements: 16. Nicola Bolger, 17. Sinead Ryan, 18. Sophia Murdock, 19. Sadhbh Reilly-Tuite, 20. Louise Crinion, 21. Danu McKinney, 22. Anna Marchant.
Up Next: Sunday 4th October
Both Adult Women’s sides return to action next Sunday for Round 2, kicking-off simultaneously at 1pm:
- Women’s 1st XV (Division 1): vs. Tullamore RFC — Away (Spollanstown)
- Women’s 2nd XV (Division 3): vs. Birr RFC — Home (Balreask Old)