Navan RFC u-14 girls focus

Navan RFC u-14 girls were delighted to welcome Wicklow girls last Saturday for what was the girls first time to play 50 minutes on a full-length pitch.

It was also the first time that they met a team able to field a full (13) team plus subs. 

With a number of the Navan girls away with camogie semi-finals, mid-term break etc, it gave some of the new girls a chance to gain valuable experience.

Wicklow opened the scoring but Sasha Guirey soon put Navan ahead with several 50-metre breaks. 

Roisin Cullen added to this with a try on her first match. 

Wicklow however wouldn’t give in and eventually got ahead by two points with five minutes to go.

Steffi Finnegan was captain on the day and with Leah Morris was excellent.

Lauren Nash and Ava Galvin combined well in defence with Ava making one of the biggest tackles of the day. 

Sarah Leonard had another great performance always in the right place and never missing a tackle. 

Rosie Searle started at full back and ended up in the scrum as the game went on. She also made a 50-metre lung-bursting run only to be pulled down five metres from the line.

The hardest work of the game was up front.  

Wicklow contested every ruck and maul with their big forwards.  

This took its toll on Navan. Roisin Watters, Cara Martin, Leah Morris and Lauren Fitzpatrick all took hard knocks. 

Niamh McSharry and Emily O'Brien stood up bravely to the Wicklow attacks. 

Jade on her own on the wing was generally covering girls twice her size. 

Tara Quinn came on for her first game, 10 minutes in and played the remainder of the match. The grin never left her face for the duration.

The two outstanding players on the day were Cara Martin and Lauren Fitzpatrick. 

Anytime Wicklow attacked they were there pulling them down counter rucking and driving them back. 

Lauren started as hooker but plays like a flanker, constantly tackling while Cara, for hard work at the breakdown, leadership and teamwork was woman of the match.

As usual the team put up an excellent performance and should be proud of themselves.