WOLFHOUNDS 48-7 GLASGOW WARRIORS

Wolfhounds took the win this afternoon in Belfast in round three of the Celtic Challenge, in what it was a very physical game from both sides.

The Irish reigning champions showed up to prove why they won the competition last year. The game itself was packed with speed, brilliant skill manoeuvres from hand passes to kicks, leading to a total of nine tries in the eighty minutes of game.

Wolfhounds were quick to open up the score by minute four. The Irish managed to turn around what it was a very good attack from Glasgow’s player, Sky Phimister. Stealing the ball the Irish number twelve, Eve Higgins managed to break through the Warrior’s defence which led to Linda Djougang making her way under the posts to touch-down. Conversion successful by Dannah O’Brien.

Nearing the fifteen minutes mark Katie Corrigan gave the hosts a second try. After a successful line-out which gave them the possession and dominance of the play, they were able to open up a space on the right wing for Katie to run along past the try-line. Conversion successful again by Dannah O’Brien.

Erin King was the next player from the Wolfhound squad to cross the Warrior’s try-line to extend the lead for the home team. Exploiting once again the gaps on the touchlines created from their attacks, the Irish team was able to arrive to the try zone and score, this time on the left wing. Conversion unsuccessful as it hit the posts.

The chances Glasgow had for line-outs and scrums were successful and powerful but not converting them into tries had an impact, as Wolfhounds stood their ground. Glasgow’s defence had really good moments but were not consistent enough to fight back against a really strong host team.

Within the first half Wolfhounds scored another three tries by Niamh O’Dowd, and second tries for Katie Corrigan and Erin King. Two out of three conversions successful by O’Brien.

Just before half time the home side was looking for one more try but Glasgow managed to force their error and turned the possession over after an Irish side knock on. The hosts went into the half time break with a 36 points lead.

Post break, both teams came back looking to jump right back into the game. Glasgow’s defence seemed a bit tougher and remained firmer against the Wolfhound’s attacks. Glasgow managed to held up the next attempted try from the Irish team, which seemed to give them a boost of confidence.

Within the fifty minutes mark we had the first try from the Glasgow Warrior’s side with the captain, Ailie Tucker pushing her way into the try zone. Following an effective Glasgow scrum, this allowed them to direct the play into the Wolfhound’s ten meter line, to then be able to find a space for Tucker to push through. Conversion successful by Briar McNamara.

In this second half, the Irish side saw tries from Eve Higgins and Katie Corrigan, who got a hat trick, scoring three tries. One out of two conversions were successful by O’Brien.

Glasgow’s forte through this afternoon’s game were, same as last week their dominance on scrums. Also had a few highlighted plays from the commentators themselves regarding Holland Bogan’s defence and involvement during the whole eighty minutes of the match. Sky Phimister’s speed and ability to see the game when it comes to passing or predicting tackles. Another player who was highlighted by their tackling skills was Orla Proctor, which granted Glasgow many turnovers this afternoon.

Full time at Kingston Stadium was Wolfhound’s 48-7 Glasgow Warriors.

Post match thoughts from vice captain Holland Bogan:

“I think we were better in defence than last week, we definitely still have room to grow and improve but our group is new and hasn’t played with each other a lot. We showed a lot of heart in the second half but it wasn’t enough to close the gap.

When we had the ball we played with intent, moved it about and tried different things. We need to keep improving on our defence to allow us a better platform to get off the line and try win the ball back.

Other small things to fix are lifts and throws. In attack we just struggled with our ball integrity. The fine margins cost us the game but we are growing and we are all frustrated. We know we can play better and what we are capable of. We don’t want to disappoint our warriors nation, we are building week by week and are giving it our all “