This season’s final between UWIC and Cardiff Quins was preceded by a demonstration game between Cynon Valley/Pentyrch and Cardiff Quins Under 14 girls. Both teams played extremely well with some promising talent for the future of Welsh Women’s rugby. But Cynon Valley proved too strong for the newly formed Quins team and took the match 48-19.
The cup final then kicked off in front of a good crowd. The first 10 minutes was played mostly in the Quins half but UWIC failed to capitalise on their possession with Quins proving strong in defence. Against the run of play, first blood went to Quins after 13 minutes with Hayley Baxter making a break from half way to cross the line; her effort was converted from in front of the posts by Jilly Holroyd. Twenty minutes in, Quins scored again from a driving line-out with Rachel Taylor finding the line.
Stephanie George for UWIC pulled one back from a penalty five metres out but at 32 minutes Catrin Edwards showed strong running and off loaded well to Baxter who ran in their third try, again converted by Holroyd. UWIC looked like scoring just before half time but the ball was turned and Holroyd cleared to the half way line. The Quins took a 19-5 lead into the half time interval.
At the start of the second half Quins showed outstanding handling skills moving the ball wide one way then the other but failed to finish due to a forward pass. After 53 minutes UWIC prop Kelly Rowlands received a yellow card. Holroyd kicked the penalty to the 5m line, Quins won the line-out but again couldn’t finish until a poor clearance kick by UWIC put Baxter into the corner for her third try.
UWIC responded immediately with Becca Picton being driven over for their second try, reducing the deficit to 24-10. Another yellow, this time for Quins’ No.4 Sarah Wordsworth put UWIC on the front foot and despite Quins defending well UWIC fly half Shelley Barr found the line. Unfortunately for UWIC the conversion to bring them within a score of Quins was missed.
In the final 5 minutes Quins pushed UWIC back into their own 22 but then injury stopped the run of play. UWIC fought back with an outstanding drive but were held up over the line. Quins successfully defended their line to the final whistle, finishing 24-15 victors.
Presentations were made by Internationals Ian Gough and Adam Jones, and Taffs Well chairman Peter Flood. Players of the match were Quins Becky Newton and UWIC captain Hannah Torangi.
Thanks go to Taffs Well for hosting the event and to the officials Jun Mizohata (referee), Daniel James and Francesca Dickinson. For information on playing, coaching or refereeing women’s rugby please contact Nicola Smith on 07725 828697.
Squads:
UWIC: Kelly Rowlands, Sara Davies, Hannah Roberts, Becca Picton, Stephanie George, Hari Kent-McCormack, Clair Lodge, Hannah Torangi, Sammy Knighton, Shelley Barr, Victoria Godsall, Kylie Wilson, Nia Edwards, Ali Milton, Rachel Roberts, Carley Powell, Danielle Stafford, Kate Newton, Bethan Phipps
Coach: Kylie Wilson
Cardiff Quins: Catrin Edwards, Jodie Hewitson, Becky Newton, Sarah Wordsworth, Becky Blakeway, Emily Baird, Clare Malloy, Rachel Taylor, Jilly Holroyd, Sophie Bennett, Lowri Jones, Caryl James, Hayley Baxter, Zoe Prytherch, Elinor Snowsill, Kim Parry, Lea Hughes, Charlotte Hawkins, Hayley Abson, Sarah Ferrin
Coaches: Owen Smith, Ian Carter
