Letterkenny ladies celebrate their win over Ards.
Letterkenny 25 Ards 8
LETTERKENNY ladies creared a slice of history at the weekend when they overcame Ards to become the first Donegal team to bring a Development Cup back to the county.
After a messy opening ten minutes, Letterkenny was awarded a scrum down.
An excellent pick and go from Letterkenny’s powerful number 8 Vika Vasilevska resulted in the first (unconverted) try of the game. This solo try settled the Letterkenny ladies and, from here on, it was hard for Ards to keep the Letterkenny Ladies out.
With some excellent carrying from a focused pack, Letterkenny had forced their way into the Ards 22.
A penalty was awarded to the already wining team and a well struck penalty kick was scored by hooker Edel Melaugh.
Ards didn’t back down. From the kick off, they put pressure on Leterkenny. After some powerful ruckin Ards soon found themselves again under attack. Some smooth hands in the backline resulted in a try out on the wing by the team manager Anne Robinson.
Again the try went unconverted. Between the strength of the pack and a speedy back line Ards struggled to make it out of their own half.
As Letterkenny made their way to the Ards 22 line another converted penalty was given. A few fantastic kicks from the Ards outhalf put Letterkenny inside their own 22 but these kicks were no match for the safe hands of fullback Grainne Kennedy.
As the second-half unfolded Letterkenny and Ards both fought hard leaving the ball around the half way line for a period, but a quick break by the Letterkenny outhalf Laura Kenny resulted in a try between the posts, which was converted at Melaugh’s ease.
Letterkenny eased off and Ards took advantage and a well deserved try crossed the Letterkenny try line.
At an awkward angle the conversion was missed but the Ards outhalf made up for the missed conversion by converting a penalty that came quickly from the kick off. This was the last score of the game.
Both teams performed well and should be proud to have made it to the final.
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