Enniskillen Collegiate Repeat Last Year's Success to Lift Girls' Schools' Cup

Enniskillen Collegiate have won the Girls' Schools' Cup final for the second year in a row by beating Grosvenor GS by 11 points to 7 in a very enjoyable final.

MATCH REPORT

In a tightly contested match of leprechaun rugby, Enniskillen Collegiate showed more of a cutting edge in the second half to ensure that the Cup returned to Enniskillen for the second year in a row.

There was enterprising play from both sides in the opening minutes of the game, with stiff defence
shown from both sets of players. It was Collegiate who were to strike first with an initial break from the scrum stopped, they then recycled the ball to cross the line for a score in the 5th minute. This was then added to shortly afterwards with a well worked move making the scores 2 - 0 to Collegiate.

Grosvenor were not to be disheartened and a powerful break in midfield with an excellent offload resulted in their first score of the day. Collegiate responded immediately with a great solo effort resulting in a score which brought the score line back to 3 - 1.

Grosvenor then marched back up the pitch and were held just short on a few occasions with some quick tackling from the Enniskillen girls. This continued for the next few minutes with only a couple of knock ons at crucial times stopping the Grosvenor girls from registering scores. In the 20th minute they were to be denied no longer after a fantastic solo run resulted in a try, which was followed up three minutes later by another try to leave the sides locked at 3 - 3. Collegiate strode back up the field to register another score after a move which spread across the entire pitch, before being finished with aplomb in the corner.

This left the half - time score at Collegiate 4 - 3 Grosvenor with the close score line reflecting the excellent play displayed by both sides, with both teams looking to play expansive and attractive rugby.
Both sides were welcomed back into action to thunderous noise and applause which would rival any match night at Ravenhill! Spurred on by this Grosvenor wasted little time in matching the score line, with an intercept try two minutes after the break making the score 4 - 4. Collegiate responded in kind with a sublime effort, with the player eluding three would-be tacklers to make the score line: Collegiate 5 - 4 Grosvenor.

The sides swapped another score each before Grosvenor crossed the line again to even the scores at 6 - 6. It was at this point that Collegiate stepped up a gear, showed some real cutting edge in the final third, to register four tries in a row. This made the score line a comfortable 10 - 6 heading into the final two minutes. Grosvenor, showing superb effort right until the final whistle, scored the last try their efforts thoroughly deserved. Collegiate then had the final say with a last minute break down the right to finish the scoring for the day.

Grosvenor showed a relentless spirit and determination throughout the game, helping to make the game a real spectacle to the rapturous crowd at Ravenhill. Collegiate were worthy winners in the end though and there will be no complaints about the Cup going back to Enniskillen again.

Grosvenor Grammar Team: Ruth Millar, Catherine McQuad, Rachel Cranston, Nikki Caughey, Emma McBride, Ashleigh Montgomery, Shannon Berry, Jo Kenny (Capt), Chloe Lopez, Catherine Johnston, Sarah Foster, Claire Carruth, Lisa Black, Beth Dawson, Caitlin Eachus, Nicole Muirhead, Karen O'Hare

Enniskillen Collegiate: Wendy Coulter, Robyn Livingstone, Rebecca Wright, Gemma McCutcheon, Louise McFrederick, Cathy Graham, Karen Coulter, Lauren Wilson, Judith Atwell, Audery Herdman, Naomi Allen, Anna Cromie, Dani Morton, Shirelle Wilson (Capt), Alice Stubs, Rebecca Campbell, Sophie Armstrong

Referee: David Coey
Touch Judges: Brian O'Shaughnessy & Darryl Callaghan

Click here to see more photos from the match

Report by Colin McGloin