Keeping us up to date on the women’s game here in Ireland is Sarah Lennon.
Week 5 of the Women's AIL Division 1 took place at the weekend and the seemingly unstoppable procession of UL Bohemian to the title continues. The short league season and the fact that UL Bohs have already beaten both Highfield and Old Belvedere has put the Robins in pole position to retain their All Ireland crown.
It was a top versus bottom clash then when Bohs took on Blackrock in Annacotty and it was unlucky for the Dublin side as they watched 13 tries being run in. Nine different scorers in all crossed the whitewash for Bohs and a notable hattrick for Ashling Hutching. The annus horribilis continues for Rock and yet despite being on the end of more than 200 points and having scored just 6 they will continue to breathe another week. One team is relegated from Division 1 and next week's home clash with Cooke who sit 2 points ahead of Rock should decide matters. The winner should survive into next season.
Bohs next two matches are home to Tralee, who despite a good account of themselves thus far must be considered distant second favourites for the points in that match. And the season ending match versus Cooke who are locked in that relegation battle. Cooke took on Old Belvedere on Sunday and the match mirrored the Bohs game down to the final score. Belvo dished out an 81-0 defeat and the gulf in quality was patently clear when the visitors opened the scoring through Jenny Murphy in the opening minute and the day got worse from there with 7 first half tries in total for Belvo'. The Second half was a scant improvement as Belvo scored another 5 tries, with 12 in total including a hattrick for Murphy.
In the league's other two fixtures, in Galway, Galwegians defeated St Mary's 31-5 with a bonus point for the Galway women. In Cork, Highfield struggled to overcome Tralee who are proving that they merit their place at the top table. Since an opening day hammering by Belvo' the Kerry outfit have scored in every match and picked upsome important points. The gave their illustruous Cork counterparts a serious game but in the end Highfield were able to press home their superiority and use their experience to secure a 25-5 bonus point win. Tralee will face the daunting task of ttaking on Bohs next weekend before eying a home win against St Mary's on the last day and with it a possible 5th place finish, which would represent a fantastic debut season. All to play for there.
In a league that has experienced some of the most one sided matches ever, it is one of the most closely fiught at the top and the bottom. For the teams chasing UL Bohs at the top, they can only sit back and watch in the vain hope that they somehow drop points in the final two matches. In truth this seems unlikely and it would seem that Boh's victories against Belvo and Highfield will have secured them the title. In truth the short league season haas done the battle for the title no favours. For Belvo in particular, having lost by a single point in Limerick, to not have the opportunity to play again will frustrate. The best that remains for Highfield and Belvo is a battle for second place as they play on the final weekend in Cork. For Highfield this would represent frustration having been the league leaders for much of the opening stages and with their bridesmaids tags firmly in place. For Belvo however, 2nd place would represent a third season of progress in the league since promotion in 2010.
The battle for the top and bottom positions will go on over the next two weeks right to the final day . Next week's fixtures sees Belvo host Galwegians at Anglesea Road, Blackock play Cooke at Stradbrook, St Mary's play Highfield at Templeville Road and UL Bohs take on Tralee at Annacotty. All kick offs are 1pm on Sunday and are sure to be entertaining fixtures.
In Division 2N there are also two weeks left with a two horse race between two Ulster teams Belfast Harlequins and Queen's University. Quins lead by a point but Queen's have an all important game in hand. Harlequins go to Navan next week and will then watch as Queen's play their last two league games, knowing that wins for Queen's will see them win the league and go into the playoff for AIL1.
AIL2S is playing out in similar fashion with Portlaoise and Nenagh the teams battling it out for top spot and that playoff position. Portlaoise lead by 6 points and Nenagh have a game in hand. A win for Portlaoise in their next game against Ballincollig would leave Nenagh needing two bonus point wins to draw level. A couple of exciting weeks await in this division.
In the Leinster leagues the halfway point is approaching with the league structure including a home and away format. In Division 1 it's Edenderry who lead the way from Cill Dara. Cill Dara have a game in hand over their Offaly rivals however and with the sides to play in Kildare in a few weeks, this league is far from secure for Edenderry. In Division 2 a point seperates first and second with Carlow leading the way from Old Belvedere J1. An impressive bonus point win by Belvo in Kilkenny who were my tip to win this league was the standout result from last week. Carlow have a 100% record however and look strong and their next three fixtures against Trinity, Belvo and Kilkenny will go along way towards deciding this league. Railway Union continue to dominate Division 3 and secured their 5th bonus point win on the trot with a 70-0 hammering of Mullingar who are themselves an experienced side. There is little doubt that Railway Union will win this division and be promoted to Division 2. Worryingly in this league UCD have conceded for the third occasion and look like they will spend next season in the development division. In the Development league 4 all fixtures were fulfilled for the first time. CYM (Terenure) and Newbridge continue to battle it out at the top with Tallaght starting to put together a good run of late. The Development league seems to have, at last, gotten off the ground.
A full programme of matches next weekend across the AIL and regional divisions, with some crucial match ups. As most fixtures are played on Sunday's at 1pm, why not visit your local club to watch some women's rugby? You're (almost) guaranteed tries!
Sarah Lennon (@sarahlennon08) is passionate about all things rugby. A Leinster Season Ticket holder since the Donnybrook days, a supporter of the Irish teams home and abroad and can regularly be seen cheering on Junior Rugby at Stillorgan RFC (a labour of love). As well as spectating, she dabbles in playing a bit and is a member of Old Belvedere RFC and fully paid up member of the front row union.
