Belfast Harlequins entertained Queen’s University II’s in the Deloitte Conference on Sunday afternoon at Deramore Park with the home side recording a 37 – 17 win.
Quins applied the early pressure and youngster Eva Cafolla crashed over the white wash in the first 10 minutes and speedster Stacey Bryce crossed shortly after to take the score to 10-0.
Queen’s fought back, and through a series of strong carries and quick hands they got the ball to experienced centre, Sophie Hipson, who ran a good line to finish under the posts for an unconverted try.
Harlequins responded through Nina Williamson before Cafolla completed her brace and with Bryce adding the extras the home team took a 22-5 lead into the break.
Quins brought on Khloe Miller after the break and the powerful back row found her way to the try line at the start of the second half to be followed by Aoife McTaggart, after good work by Nicola Mealey, as the score rattled along to 32 – 5 in Quins favour.
Queen’s University, featuring quite a few new starts, refused to give up and captain Sarah Madden led the way with a try under the posts, converted by Orla McMahon, to take the score to 32 – 12.
The home side responded through winger Yolanda Rodal who rounded the defence for an unconverted try as the game approached it’s final stages.
Queen’s continued to plug away and the visitors had the last word as centre Akshara O’Sullivan forced a turnover to send Lucy Denyer over on her debut. The try went unconverted to give a final score of Quins 37 Queens 17.
