Upon the kick-off it was evident that Munster was well structured and had prepared for this game.  They had had a fixture previously against Worcester and this had obviously paid dividends in their approach to this game.  The Ulster team however started strongly and took the game to Munster but some forced passes saw the ball being transferred to the Munster side on a number of occasions.  The Munster team tried to go through the forwards but resilient defence by the Ulster pack spurned their efforts.  They then changed their focus to try to bulldoze through the centres but again the Ulster held strong and held off countless attacks.  However the defence couldn’t hold too long and the Munster team transferred the ball quickly across the backline and saw their wing run in for the first try of the match.  Ulster seemed to spring to life and came right back into the Munster half on the re-start.  The pressure of the Ulster Back-row of Johnston, Dornan and Bell kept the Munster out-half and inside backs under a lot of pressure resulting in some hurried kicks and Ulster regaining possession on many occasions.  Ulster spent some time in the Munster twenty-two but just couldn’t cross the line, some strong running from Ulster centre, Victoria Coulter and Out-half, Rachel Lennox saw the Munster defensive line broken but the last pass just couldn’t go to hand and Munster’s organisation in defence was very impressive.  Mid-way through the first half the territory swung back to the Munster team and Ulster were under pressure again.  Credit to the girls as they would not let the Munster girls have it their own way but after good continuity the Munster centre carved through the Ulster backline and scored under the posts.  The converted try made the score 12-0 to Munster.  Ulster were shell-shocked as moments later, again a quick transfer by the Munster back-line saw the ball thrown to the right wing who rounded the Ulster backs and score in the corner taking the score to 17-0.  Immediately after this score Ulster seemed to lift their spirits and the ferocity of the Ulster forwards began to take its toll.  Surging runs by Feely and Barnes committed many Munster forwards to the break-down and excellent support shown by second rows Hannah and Wlodarski kept the continuity at a high rate.  However the team were hit by their first injury with full-back Ashley Baxter coming off to be replaced by Kim Moxham.  Both teams were happy to see the half-time break come to get a rest after the high paced first half. 

In the second half Ulster made their travelling support and coaches proud with the show of rugby they displayed.  The girls kept the Munster side deep in their own half but just couldn’t cross the white-wash.  However on the few occasions that the Munster team broke out of their half and pushed Ulster into their own twenty-two a score came.  The girls immediately re-grouped and increased their efforts to push for a score of their own.  Changes were made in the forwards and backs and the fresh legs lifted the tempo of the match.  The Munster defence held strong with countless charges by the Ulster forwards and Ulster inside backs.  The last quarter of the match bore evidence to possibly one of the best solo tries that has been seen at an Under-age level.  The Munster team were encamped on their line under tremendous pressure by the Ulster team.  The ball was transferred smoothly by the Munster backs to the full-back who exploded around the Ulster backs on the outside and raced up the pitch.  The pace was just too much for the covering players and after a 90m dash the full-back scored under the posts bringing the score to 31-0.  Even though the score was against the run of play credit must go to the full-back who showed incredible pace and vision.  With other teams this may have made their heads drop but not this fiery Ulster team.  They immediately came back and set-up camp in the Munster half again with bruising runs by Johnston and Dornan and replacement scrum-half Fowley.  The final whistle to this epic encounter came with the Ulster girls attacking one last time and the applause and cheers from the travelling crowd were a fitting tribute to the spectacle of rugby that was shown.  If what was witnessed is to be the norm of U18 rugby then future games should not be missed and women’s rugby will be the winner. 

For the Ulster girls only having one proper training session lasting 1 ½ hours the previous week the commitment, attitude and professionalism shown by the whole 31 girls who played was exceptional.  A note must be said that the level of rugby displayed did not drop when any changes were made and the number of tries conceded throughout the game speaks for itself.  It was evident that as the game progressed the players and team started to gel and work together and from 1-31 there was no drop in performance which has made coaches Joy Sparkes and Nathan Moore very excited about the future.  The squad now take a break for a few months and will restart their training again in August. 

Thanks go to the players for their attitude and commitment over the last 9 months of trials, the huge support that travelled down to watch the game, the coaches of the girls U18 clubs, Malahide RFC for their professionalism and the Ulster Branch for supporting and backing the team going into this game. 

Look out for future fixtures for this team as they should not be missed!