Ulster Rugby v Harlequins

ULSTER WOMEN’S INTERPROVINCIAL SERIES CONCLUDES THIS WEEKEND Ulster Women, sponsored by Deloitte, will round off their Interprovincial Series at home to Connacht this weekend, having already played their counterparts from Leinster and Munster.

ROUND 1 ULSTER WOMEN 10 LEINSTER WOMEN 34 The Ulster Women began their Interprovincial campaign on Sunday 3rd December with a gallant performance against reigning champions Leinster at Dromore RFC. Ulster, who are coached this year by Derek Suffern, Davy Chambers and James McBriar, played with massive heart and resilience from the first whistle to last and spent the opening 20 minutes on the front foot in Leinster territory, but frustratingly could not find a gap in the blue wall. Leinster led 10-0 at the break following tries from Aimee Clarke and Lindsey Peat.

ROUND 2 MUNSTER WOMEN 34 ULSTER WOMEN 5 Last Saturday, the Ulster Women travelled to Garryowen RFC to take on Munster Women in the second round of the Women’s Interprovincial Series. The opening try arrived in the 20th minute when Munster won a turnover on halfway and moved the ball wide for Syphonia Pua to break up the wing. Rachel Allen supported her UL Bohemians club-mate on the inside and took the final pass to score and make it 5-0 at half-time. Following a tight first half, Munster began to take charge in the second half and added to their tally with tries from Chloe Pearse (46 minutes), Niamh Kavanagh (50) and Laura Sheehan (59). One of the scores was converted by Ellen Murphy to leave the home side in a commanding position. To their credit, Ulster never threw in the towel and replied with a try of their own from replacement Amy Graham, but Munster added a late gloss with further tries from Edel Murphy and replacement Christine Arthurs. ROUND 3 ULSTER WOMEN V CONNACHT WOMEN SATURDAY 16TH DECEMBER, 3PM AT BELFAST HARLEQUINS RFC Tomorrow will see the final installment of the Senior Women’s Interprovincial Series as Ulster Women take on Connacht Women at Belfast Harlequins RFC. Here’s hoping the familiar home crowd will help the Ulster Women finish off the campaign on a high!

ULSTER WOMEN’S UPDATE Early in the second half, Leinster centre Michelle Claffey sliced through to stretch the lead further with a fine try, converted by Aine Donnelly. But Ulster managed to hit back with a five-pointer from former Ireland winger Eliza Downey, creating a glimmer of hope for the hosts as the gap was reduced to a slightly more manageable 17-5.

However, any thoughts of an Ulster revival were quickly extinguished when Railway Union full-back Susan Vaughan crossed the whitewash for her side's fourth try of the day and a 22-5 lead. Excellent teenage winger Clarke scored her second and third tries of the day before the end, one of which was converted by Donnelly. To their credit, Ulster never dropped the heads and kept doing the right things right to the end, and were rewarded with a late try from impressive replacement Teah Maguire.

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