Match Report

By Ian Golden in Dublin

Wales clinched the Rugby League Women’s European Championship B North championship in style after hammering Ireland 44-4 in Dublin on Saturday.



The hosts only had the better of the game in the first 15 minutes. After that it was all Wales as they dominated proceedings.

An early 40-20 gave Ireland the perfect first opportunity to score, and they didn’t waste it. From the second tackle of the resulting set, Ali Coleman crashed over. Philippa Birchall missed the conversion attempt.

A dropped ball from a high bomb let Ireland in for a second chance, but the Welsh defence held firm on this occasion.

Wales fought back and from a good passing move, Amberley Ruck slipped through to level the scores. Kathryn Salter kicked well to give the away side the lead.

They extended their lead in the 24th minute. After winning a repeat set, it was another good set of passes which gave Rosie Carr a chance she didn’t waste. Salter couldn’t convert but Wales were 10-4 up.

Wales kept up the pressure and were rewarded just before half-time when Rosie Carr ran in for Wales’ third try that Salter improved to give her side a 16-4 half-time lead.

The Welsh came out strong in the second half and it took just a minute for Charlie Mundy to extended their lead. Salter converted again.

Without the ball getting back into Irish hands, Wales scored again. This time it was Lauren Aitken, who pushed her way passed all who tried to stop her. Salter converted again for an unassailable four try lead.

Wales weren’t finished yet. Leanne Burnell ran in for Wales’ sixth try of the game and Salter again kicked the extras.

The next try came with 14 minutes remaining. Molly Reardon dived over and Salter converted.

Ireland, disadvantaged in numbers after losing Charlie Willett to a ligament injury in the 25th minute, that held the game up for nearly 10 minutes, didn’t give up and looked for a consolation. Their first serious attack in Welsh territory came in the last ten minutes, but that came to nothing.

When Wales got the ball back, they scored from a length of the field set. Burnell went over for her second and Wales’ eighth to wrap up the win and lift the trophy.