Opening Rejenerate Cup match Ards Ladies V Malone Women

It was gail force winds in Landsdowne Road against Ards RFC Ladies for our opening Rejen Cup match.

During the warm up it was already aparent that talking, even shouting was playing havoc with communicating with fellow team mates never mind coaches to players for both teams and supporting staff. So hand signals where quickly divised and quickly forgotten.

After the so called warm up the girls where all looking more blue than red with all their blood being drawn in to keep the vital organs ticking over before kick off, and even some where losing blood from their brains. That aside the Malone girls took the pitch along with the Ards Ladies for a game that had an 80mph wind going from try line to try line. The Malone coaches had no idea how this game would go nore end up. Both teams had 10 a-side and both had kickers, and would these kickers be used; the short answer is yes.

In the opening Minute Ards kicked off to Malone with the wind in Ards favor. It took the ball deep into Malones 22 where our brave Maeve retreated back to claim it by going down on it, but the wind was to strong which carried the ball further which left Maeve hitting dirt and no ball. It went straight into Malones goal area. Now under pressure the Ards girls tried for the ball but after a tussle the ball ended up in the hands Of Katie Cs hands where she decided to attack from Malones own try line. Katie ran in a 100m try with a few side steps to get her in. 3 mins in and Malone was 5 - 0 up after a hard coversion into the wind fell short.

There was determined attacks from Ards ladies from the breakdown area, with relentless pick and goes. With so many the Malone girls where envolved in so many rucks that it paid off twice for the Ards Ladies with two tries and one conversion. Ards 2nd try was a belter with sheer determinion from Jennifer (Ards forward) refused to stop pumping her legs and was able to drive 22m to get in under the posts. Was a great effort and try.

Malone backs had the best time. It was all passing and attacking the flanks where all the space was. From passing inside to out, good linking up and support play to a good few solo efforts from within Malones half. The same 3 girls kept running in try after try, Katie C 6, Hazel 5 and Jennifer M 2 with the Muphinator converting 6 of them. The game turned out to be a feast of entertainment for both forwards and backs. Lots of footballing skills envolved too, so it had it all. Even with the gail winds is was a great game.

Tons of credit must go to Ards RFC Ladies who never gave up one minute of the game. They played hard, fair and full of commitment. The score line may have went in Malones favour, but each was not a given, the Ards made the Malone Women work for it. Huge respect to Coach Gary and his Ards Ladies along with his Jennifer who got players player of the match for Ards 2nd try. Ards where kind enough to award our own Hazel with players player on the Malone side.

Again Malone where well looked after with food and drink after the match and we thanks Ards RFC Ladies and Coaches for there hospitality. Was well recieved.

Now malone look and plan ahead for there next cup match. Watch this space.....