Carrick ladies hosted Ballyshannon at home on Sunday, with a 28-0 bonus point win completing a hat-trick of wins in the Ulster Qualifying League.
The visitors kicked off and both sides appeared evenly matched for the start of the first half, with only sporadic ground being made by each team. A ruck near the Ballyshannon line saw the ball being passed through the backs and centre Arlene Devine fighting her way over the line to score the first points of the match, which she also successfully converted. CLICK HERE for the shotssssssssssssssssss AAAAGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH \!!!!!!!!!!/
Ballyshannon fought back with an immediate attack and only tight defending by Carrick, right on their try line and a kick from Devine prevented a return score. The first half ended 7-0.
Ballyshannon came out strong in the second half, but a well timed pop pass between centre Hilary Cawood and out half Aimee Ellis saw Ellis go over the line following a 20 yard sprint from Cawood, who was tackled just short of the line. The try was converted by Arlene Devine to make the score 14-0.
Play continued mid-pitch, with Ballyshannons attacking attempts thwarted by a determined Carrick side. A scrum near the Ballyshannon 22 gave scrum half Lydine Wilson the opportunity to take advantage of a gap in the blindside defence and charge over the line, placing the ball between the posts. The conversion was successful by Arlene Devine, who kicked her third of the day.
Hungry for a bonus point, Carrick increased the pressure, winning scrums and allowing the forwards to take on a more prominent role in the final moments. This approach paid off when Sabrina Higgins was taken down just short of the try line and popped off to Lydine Wilson who touched over the line. Devine completed a 100% kicking record to make the score 28-0, with the full time whistle blowing moments later.
With Ballymoney v Cavan being postponed due to waterlogged pitches, Carrick now top the league with 13 points, with Ballymoney, second with 10 and Ballyshannon also having played 3 matches.
The title defence continues on Sunday, when Letterkenny travel to Tom Simms memorial park. The sides met previously in September, with Carrick taking away a 17-3 away win.
Carrick continued their fundraising for the Belfast Rape Crisis Centre by holding another post-match cake sale and raised £65. Many thanks to Lydine Wilson for her baking efforts and everyone who dug deep and enjoyed her delicious treats.
