Creggs RFC Women’s senior team travelled to the Dexcom Stadium in Sunday to play against Tuam RFC. The game was played in glorious sunshine with very little wind . This was Tuam’s 3rd final in a row and Creggs first attempt. Tuam kicked off and Creggs received the ball, took possession and made their way downfield. Creggs put huge pressure on Tuam by moving the ball swiftly across the back line and with major surges by the forwards . Having won a scrum on the opposition 22 Creggs went on attack across field where Megan Donaghoe made a break of 20 yards right through the middle of the Tuam defence . She was able to offload the ball and ot was swiftly released to the back line where Seren Griffiths scored the game’s first try. Eabha Dowd kicked the conversion to put Creggs seven nil ahead after nine minutes . Straight from the kick-off Tuam made their way to the Creggs 22 where they put in a big effort to even the score . On the 16th minute captain Susan O’reilly was pinged for a high tackle and given a yellow card . Tuam continued to attack and were unlucky not to score when they dropped the ball as they went to score a try. Tuam continued pressure eventually led to a try on 23 minutes just right of the post which was converted to level the score at 7 all. At this stage Tuam were in full flow and more difficult to defend against but knocked on a ball when they had an overlap on the Creggs 22. Creggs never cleared the ball downfield and in injury time Tuam eventually scored in the right corner and were unable to convert and led 12- 7 at halftime.

 

The second half started with a Creggs kick off and immediately put pressure on the Tuam team . Drive after drive by the Creggs pack brought Kelly Haugh onto the try but unfortunately was held up. Creggs continued to attack but the Tuam defence was too strong and forced a Creggs knock on their 22 . From the scrum Tuam made their way down field into the Creggs half for the first time, and on 62 minutes scored a try from the right wing. This brought the score 19 -7 . On 70 minutes Tuam won a scrum on the Creggs 10 and moved the ball quickly and their center ran straight through the Creggs defence brushing off tackles and another scored 7 points . Tuam now led by 19 points and the pressure was on Creggs to score immediately. Creggs again broke up field and in the 74th minute Captain Susan O’Reilly broke through and touched down 20 yards left of the post for 5 points. The conversion was missed and Tuam again made their way back downfield again. Again some missed tackles by Creggs allowed Tuam in for their final try and conversion under the posts to win the game 33-12 . The score does not reflect the effort that was put in by this Creggs team and management over the last year. This team is only three years on the go with new players added each year. This was a great experience which will stand to the team in the future. Congrats to all involved.

Photos from Steve Fahey Foxshots77

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