We caught up with the, touring USA side, Eagle Impact Rugby Academy in their game against Ulster U17 girls at Portadown College on Saturday afternoon.
It was a busy and enjoyable game played over three 25 minute periods to give both teams a chance to test out their squad depth.
The American side got of to a strong start picking up a try after 6 minutes through their energetic No 51 who blasted over at the second attempt for a 0 – 5 lead.
In a strong first period, EIRA doubled their lead, six minutes later with a score from Madeson Stanley to take the lead to 0 – 10. A third try just before the break, from out half Tatum Law was converted by Sophia Shelton to push the score out to 0 – 17 at the first break.
Ulster had a strong second quarter keeping EIRA pinned in their own half and they picked up their first try when Emma Swinson powered over for Daisy Steen-Mulgrew to convert for seven points made by Ballymoney RFC.
EIRA fought back hard crating chances but Ulster forced a few mistakes on the line and there were no further scores, the teams going into the last period with the score at 7 – 17.
An entertaining final quarter saw Ulster close the gap to 12 – 17 with a try from deep from the energetic Aoibhinn Strain from City of Armagh making it a one score game.
Unfortunately, for the home team the Eagles hit back with tries from Alexandria Myers and Madeline Morin, the latter converted by Shelton to push the score out to 12 – 29.
Ulster deservedly had the last word with a well taken try from deep from Omagh’s scrum half Layla McCaffrey who went over in the corner to cap a fine personal performance. Steen-Mulgrew was just short with the conversion giving a final score of 17 -29 in EIRA’s favour.
Ulster U17 Girls Squad
1. Nikki Campbell (Clogher Valley RFC), 2. Sarah Sharkey (Clogher Valley RFC), 3. Hannah Kirkpatrick (Clogher Valley RFC), 4. Jessica Brady (Omagh RFC), 5. Chloe Beatty (Clogher Valley RFC), 6. Jodie Magowan (Banbridge RFC), 7. Aoibhinn Strain (City of Armagh RFC), 8. Rebecca Cunning (City of Derry RFC), 9. Layla McCaffrey (Omagh RFC), 10. Amy Hall (Ballymena RFC), 11. Lydia Alexander (Ballynahinch RFC), 12. Faith Wright (Cooke RFC), 13. Poppy Steen-Mulgrew (Ballymoney RFC), 14. Maisie Little (Enniskillen RFC), 15. Ciara Keogh (City of Derry RFC), 16. Deirbhile McGovern (Ballymoney RFC), 17. Annabelle Clarke (City of Armagh RFC), 18. Shauna Smith (Virginia RFC), 19. Sarah McNally (Inishowen RFC), 20. Poppy Rodgers (Banbridge RFC), 21. Emma Swinson (Ballymoney RFC), 22. Mia Richie (Dungannon RFC), 23. Ruby Magee (Letterkenny RFC), 24. Jane Feetham (Ballymoney RFC), 25. Daisy Steen-Mulgrew (Ballymoney RFC), 26. Abby Connolly (Ballymena RFC), 27. Cara Campbell (Ballymoney RFC).
Match Gallery
corrections
- Unfortunately I accidently deleted this players name. Please use the form at the bottom of the page to send in details and I’ll correct the report. ↩︎
