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FT Score: Clovers 31 - 7 Edinburgh
By Katie Healy
Persistent rain set the tone for Round 8 of the Celtic Challenge as Clovers welcomed Edinburgh to Dexcom Stadium for a 12:30pm kick-off in Galway.
With Clovers remaining unbeaten with 6 consecutive wins, both sides battled for territory throughout this competitive and hardfought encounter. Clovers are led out by Captain Ruth Campbell with Hannah Walker leading out Edinburgh.
From the first whistle, the Clovers gained possession with aggressive forward play that put immediate pressure on Edinburgh's defence. Ruth Campell tipped onto Aoife Corey which opened the scoring at the quarter mark winning the opening try. The successful conversion gave Clovers an early edge and injected confidence into their rhythm.
Edinburgh responded by probing through tight exchanges and looking to strike on the back of a turnover ball. However, consistent Clovers pressure at the breakdown prevented meaningful momentum, and the home forwards continued to assert their physical edge.
The Clovers doubled their advantage midway through the first half with Chisom Ugwueru soaring through the field, getting another score in the corner.
After half time, the Clovers picked up where they left off. Their dominant scrummaging and clean lineout ball laid the platform for a third score from Chisom Ugwueru with quick hands, slicing through a tiring Edinburgh line to touch down under the posts. Another conversion extended the margin and swung momentum squarely in Clovers favour.
Edinburgh trucked forward and gained a try. A mall was brought down with Pip Benson gaining possession. Edinburgh made their mark on the scoreboard midway through the second half with Hannah McMahon scoring a good conversion winning a try making it 24-5.
Unfazed, the Clovers maintained their intensity. A dominant maul carried them into enemy territory and forced multiple phases, ending with a fourth try in the corner. With 18 minutes left to play a conversion from Nicole Marlow scores a try pushing the score to 24-7.
Clovers try to fire through a strong counter ruck winning a penalty. Working their way towards the try line, Beth Budamer wins a try making the score 29-7. Ellie O’Sullivan Sexton added the extras from another try making the final score 31-7.
Teamsheets
Clovers
15. Aoife Corey (Munster)
14. Chisom Ugwueru (Munster)
13. Alana McInerney (Munster)
12. Niamh Murphy (Leinster)
11. Béibhinn Parsons (Connacht)
10.Ellie O’Sullivan Sexton (Leinster)
1. Siobhán McCarthy (Munster)
2. Uillin Eilian (Connacht)
3. Sadhbh McGrath (Ulster)
4. Ruth Campbell (Leinster) (Captain)
5. Faith Oviawe (Connacht)
6. Annakate Cournane (Munster)
7. Ailish Quinn (Connacht)
8. Jemima Adams Verling (Connacht)
Replacements:
16. Beth Buttimer (Munster)
17. Grainne Burke (Munster)
18. Eilís Cahill (Munster)
19 . Aoibheann McGrath (Munster)
20 . Rosie Searle (Leinster)
21 . Katie Whelan (Leinster)
22 . Siofra Hession (Connacht)
23 . Lucia Linn (Munster)
Edinburgh XV
15. Lucy MacRae
14. Cieron Bell
13. Rachel Philipps
12. Hannah Ramsay
11. Hannah Walker (Captain)
10. Nicole Marlow
9. Emily Love
1. Alison Wilson
2. Amy Henwood
3. Molly Poolman
4. Adelle Ferrie
5. Natasha Logan
6. Lauryn McGrotty
7. Alex Stewart
8. Catriona Moody
Replacements
16. Angharad Hopwood*
17. Talei Tawake
18. Hannah McMahon
19. Nicola Howat
20. Alina Prokopenko
21. Pip Benson
22. Lisa Brown
23. Bethan Mathieson
