The aftermath of Storm Dennis made for some trying conditions in Wicklow on Sunday 16 February, as DCU Ladies Rugby Club took on Wicklow RFC in their back yard. The windy conditions and drenched field were not the only challenge for both teams on the day, as both teams were physical on defence and attack.
The conditions did not lend themselves to goal kicking, with only one conversion attempt going over for the hosts. Wicklow continued their reputation for solid defence, only conceding three tries, while scoring five tries themselves. The hosts eventually won 29-15, with DCU having the last word on the day through a try in the final minute.
Nikki Gibson is hit high as she attempts to make meters against Wicklow RFC. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
Leah Reilly looks to get her arms free to pass the ball out of a two-on-one tackle. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
Hannah Heskin crashes the ball up in the centers, drawing in as many defenders as possible. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
Jane Waters helps mouth a DCU teammate to stop a powerful Wicklow run. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
Lucinda Kinghan goes over the ball in attempt to make the steal at the breakdown. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
A good run from Wicklow RFC is shut down by DCU’s cover defense. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
Kirara Kasahara steps inside, looking to beat a Wicklow defender on her shoulder. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
Kate Farrell McCabe is hit low by a Wicklow defender as another defender looks to secure the ball in the tackle. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
Wicklow are awarded a controversial try, as the ball was knocked on in the process of grounding. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
The DCU forwards team up to slow down Wicklow’s powerful runners. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
Sophie Kilburn on the attack for DCU against Wicklow RFC. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
It was a very difficult day for kicking between Wicklow RFC and DCU, with all but one kick going wide of the posts. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
Eimear Corri bursts over a defender in the corner, on her way to score her first try against Wicklow. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
Lucinda Kinghan makes a strong tackle against Wicklow RFC. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
Kate Farrell McCabe attempts to make a few more meters before she is brought down. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
Eimear Corri had the last word on the scoreboard against Wicklow RFC, as she crossed over in the corner in the last minute of the match. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
Sophie Kilburn channeling her inner Kobe (RIP) as she passes the ball down from the lineout. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
A brilliant run from Hannah Heskin is stopped by some equally brilliant Wicklow cover defense. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
The Wicklow backline was on fire against DCU, finding and exploiting small gaps. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
Kate Farrell McCabe side steps a Wicklow defender and attempts to make a few more meters before she is brought down. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
Kirara Kasahara eyeing up the Wicklow defense, deciding which way to step. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
It was a very difficult day for kicking between Wicklow RFC and DCU, with all but one kick going wide of the posts. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
Wicklow’s passing was on point against DCU. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
Sophie Kilburn draws in two defenders before being tackled. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
A perfect pass from the ruck for Wicklow’s scrum half. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
Kirara Kasahara offloads they ball in a tackle, despite being hit high. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
Wicklow are awarded a controversial try, as the ball was knocked on in the process of grounding. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
The windy conditions forced both sets of kickers to have a support player holding the ball before a conversion attempt. Here, Hannah Heskin looks on as Leah Reilly attempts the conversion. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
Wicklow looked to offload the ball at every opportunity against DCU. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
Hannah Heskin attempting to brush off a Wicklow defender, with Kate Farrell McCabe in support. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
Kate Farrell McCabe brushes off a Wicklow tackler in an effective run. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
Hannah Heskin looks to swing the ball out wide. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
Wicklow are stopped agonizingly close the the DCU tryline. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
Katie O’Brien is wrapped up by the Wicklow defense. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
Claire Kealy crashes the ball up for DCU into some solid defense by Wicklow RFC. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
Kate Farrell McCabe hangs on to a Wicklow runner, slowing her down enough to stop the attack. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
Eimear Corri brushes off a poor tackle from Wicklow, as she looks to add to her try tally. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
Lucinda Kinghan is unable to get passed her opposite number against Wicklow RFC. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
Eimear Corri on another break for DCU, with a number of players in support. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
Claire Kealy crashes the ball up for DCU into some solid defense by Wicklow RFC. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
Kate Farrell McCabe tries to get away from one tackler as another Wicklow defender lines her up for a big hit. Photo: Stephen Kisbey-Green
Stephen Kisbey-Green Photography 