Wolfhounds v Brython Thunder
Top versus bottom, and long before the end it looked like it.
For much of the game Wolfhounds toyed with the visitors, compiling eleven tries without response.
Standards are rising visibly across the CC, but here sadly Welsh shortcomings were laid bare.
You need a very broad view of the competition not to be concerned. Brython represent west Wales, precisely where so many of the current problems lie in the national game.
They had been pleased to add experienced test players to their number, but very few were able to do themselves justice.
Admittedly Wolfhounds come from the richest vein in Irish rugby, Dublin and Leinster, plus a decent admixture of Ulster talent.
Their one area of relative weakness lay at the set scrum, but while the Brython pack was heaving away, the Hounds exploited the blind-side to feed their quickest runners. And their back-line is not far short of a likely selection for the Six Nations.
It took Brython 38 seconds to produce their first faulty pass. Then, despite winning a scrum penalty, they conceded a first try to Niamh Marley.
Wolfhounds secured their bonus point inside the half-hour.
Brython were aware of Dannah O’Brien’s kicking skills, but the three players they set deep in defence meant there were unwanted gaps up front – an insoluble dilemma.
As soon as they moved forward into line, they found the ball soaring away over their heads. It didn’t help that the Welsh midfield looked so unpenetrative.
One of DOB’s best moments came when she hoisted a pinpoint kick that bounced up obediently into Stacey Flood’s hands for a lovely try.
Robyn O’Connor had a field day. As she flew down the line for an early try, Lisa Neumann, a highly experienced international winger herself, saw yellow for a desperate last-minute high tackle. The referee awarded a penalty try, denying O’Connor a deserved five points.
By half-time the game was done and dusted. 36-0.
The Hounds saw no reason to let up as they returned; they knew coaches and selectors were watching their every move. The score went on mounting inexorably.
When Flood replaced DOB at 10, she obliged with two fine conversions. But Scott Bemand will probably be happy to keep her at full-back, in view of Caitriona Finn’s showing in the second match.
Only Gwalia’s positive showing this year is lightening Welsh hearts.
Result: Wolfhounds 69 Brython Thunder 0
Clovers v Glasgow Warriors
The second game at the Affidea, Belfast, was a much tighter affair, full of movement and drama.
For much of the time it seemed the Scots would present a real challenge to the Clovers.
They met every attack with a fierce defence, and earned their reward as a clean Irish line-out was followed by an inaccurate pass infield. Briar McNamara, prominent throughout, hacked through and was first to touch down over the line. 0-7
The half continued like that, hammer and tongs. The crowd was kept enthralled as seven tries were scored.
Half-time: 24-19
This made up for that one-sided first match!
Sadly for Glasgow, they couldn’t maintain the same pressure after the break.
By the end it looked nearly as unbalanced as the Wolfhounds’ result.
Bemand’s notebook may be full of positive comments about players like Sadhbh McGrath, the young tight-head, who had another outstanding game. She was in the thick of everything, scoring a fine try and driving twice in one powerful assault by the pack.
Caitriona Finn, the young pretender to Ireland’s No 10 shirt, had a fine game, demonstrating how valuable this tournament is in developing talent.
By the end, hopes of a tight finish were misplaced, Clovers amassing over 50 points. The difference here was that Warriors mustered 31 points themselves, making sure of a bonus that may yet prove vital.
Warriors certainly didn’t cave in; they went on presenting problems to the end, but they couldn’t find an answer to Clovers’ attacking skills.further
Result; Clovers 57 Glasgow Warriors 31
Player of the Match: Caitriona Finn (it should have been Sadhbh McGrath)
Simplified table after 4 rounds:
1. Wolfhounds 20 points
2. Gwalia 17
3. Clovers 14
4. Glasgow 8
5. Edinburgh 5
6. Brython 1
Afterthoughts:
The welcome addition of semi-finals and a final means that only two sides miss the knock-out stages, but every point gained is worth its weight.
It seems unfair to criticise commentary teams who provide such a valuable service, but in the CC we meet the same problem that beset PWR clubs when they kindly offered their own live streams: a very one-sided view.
Today it was co- commentator Fiona Hayes who reserved her remarks almost exclusively for the Irish side. With all her experience she should have been able to give a more even-handed view of events, but according to her,: Glasgow were often lucky to get away with misdemeanours and Clovers unlucky not to get the referee’s judgement in their favour. Scottish viewers might have wondered how much research she had put into the Glasgow squad.
It’s still early days for predictions, but I sense that this third version of the CC is helping to sort out any sense of weakness in Ireland’s reserve strength. Young players are queuing up to claim a place.
There are no bonus points for kit, but Clovers win my favour by donning fetching green-red quartered shirts.
