WICKLOW 7  -  GOREY 35

Gorey girls played their second fixture of the Autumn League in Wicklow, on Sat Sept 24th. Both teams were anticipating a keenly fought encounter, due to the old rivalry existing between these teams. Conditions were perfect for a game of rugby, sunshine and little breeze. The Gorey girls had beaten Naas comprehensively the previous Sunday, and were expecting a hard battle from the well drilled Wicklow team.

At 6 minutes,when Wicklow hadn't managed to get out of their own half, Gorey were one try to the good, courtesy of second row Alix Doyle, following sustained forward pressure. A brilliant intercept by Sarah Killick 3 minutes later was rewarded with a try, all in one flowing move. She was unlucky with both conversion attempts.

There followed a period of good pressure from Wicklow, but they couldn't convert their chances. At this point, somewhat against the run of play, prop Kathryn Blood was very unlucky with her try attempt, having been ajudged by the referee to have knocked on on the line, as did first centre India Mc Girr several minutes later, but great pressure from the Gorey pack paid dividends with a try each for flanker Aoife Browne and second row, Caitlin Crowe.

The Wicklow team came out well fired up following the interval, but still failed to make inroads on the committed Gorey team. Tries for Kathryn Blood and second centre Maeve Bolger within ten minutes of the restart were no more than the team deserved. At this point, the Wicklow girls showed great determination, and were rewarded by a well executed try, complete with successful conversion. It was no more than they deserved.

Lauren Farrell capped a brilliant display at scrum half with a well worked try at the death, and was just inches wide with her conversion attempt. Perhaps the scoreline doesn't reflect it, but it was a highly competitive and intense game, played in great spirit by both teams.