Carrickfergus RFC Notes: PREVIEW Double Header v Cavan RFC Ladies

Carrick ladies are set to take on Cavan at this Sunday in a double-header league AND cup match at Tom Simms Memorial Park! With an Ulster Qualifying league and Rejenerate cup match scheduled for Sunday 16th and 23rd, the decision was made to make this Sunday a double-header, ensuring an exciting and tense match. Currently sitting top of the Ulster Qualifying League, Carrick are looking forward to making a splash in the cup, having reached the semi-final stage last season. Fresh from league victory over Ballymoney and Rejenerate Cup victory over Ballynachinch, with scores of 61-0 and 35-0 respectively , Carrick captain Sabrina Higgins said “we were surprised at the result of the Ballymoney match, we especially look forward to playing them as they always give us a hard, physical match, which we relish, but it’s usually a close call. We had a long break over Christmas and had trained hard for that match and I think our efforts showed. We are delighted to be in the position we currently are, with only 2 league matches left and are confident we can progress in the cup after our win at Ballynahinch last Sunday. We have yet to play Cavan this season and they seem to be doing well with some big scorelines, so it’s definitely going to be an interesting match.” Carrick are currently topping the Ulster Qualifying League with 22 points, having played 5 matches, with only Cavan and a visit to Ballyshannon remaining. The league win over Ballymoney included a record number of tries from leading try scorer Lydine Wilson, putting 20 points on the board by herself. Centre Hilary Cawood scored 3, Nicole Orr 2, with Ruth McMorrow and Aimee Ellis both scoring 1. The Rejenerate Cup campaign got off to a 35-0 start at Ballynahinch with 2 tries each from Lydine Wilson and Hilary Cawood and 1 from Aimee Ellis, all converted by the magic boot of Arlene Devine. Carrick also lost winger Alex McCarthy to a suspected head injury early in the first half, so continued to play with a number down. Cavan travelled to Newry in the last round of the Rejenerate Cup, coming away with a 30-0 win, courtesy of tries from Shauna Brady (x2), Grainne Mc Dermott (x 2), Kathleen Dawson and Claire McDermott. Judging by past results from both these former AIL sides and the importance resting on this result, this will certainly be an interesting match to watch. Success this weekend guarantees Carrick a place in the league play-off and the Rejenerate Cup final against Ballyshannon, so it really is all to play for. KO is 1PM at Tom Simms Memorial Park. Carrick ladies will also be hosting another bake sale in aid of the Belfast Rape Crisis Centre, due to the success of previous efforts.