Ulster U18 Girls faced Connacht U18 Girls in the first game of the Interprovincial Championship, at Newforge Country Club, on Saturday afternoon.

Connacht went into a full press, from kick off trapping Ulster in their 22. It was no surprise when the pressure turned into try from Roisin O’Sullivan, converted by Siofra Hession, to give Connacht a 7-0 lead after 7 minutes.

Ulster found it hard to break through a well drilled Connacht defence, their offloading only moved the ball sideways and found themselves pinned in their own half. Despite having all the territory and possession Connacht were frustrated by a stubborn Ulster defence, which on more than one occasion relied on a last ditch tackle.

Eventually the Ulster defence was breached 2 minutes from halftime. Ruby Jennings’ angled run breached the Ulster defence to put Connacht 12-0 up at halftime.