Battling Edinburgh lose out to Wolfhounds

Despite a promising first half performance and try for Edinburgh, the Irish sidecrossed the line six times to seal the Wolfhounds win.

The score line, although still in Wolfhounds’ favour, was an improvement on Edinburgh’s last away game against the Irish side, with head coach Claire Cruikshank “proud of lots of things” from the Edinburgh performance.

Two Edinburgh Rugby debutants took to the field, with Scarlett Haddow starting at fullback, and flanker Lauryn McGrotty coming off the bench.

Wolfhounds kicked off and provided immediate defensive pressure, winning a penalty in the second minute. A kick to the corner and a successful lineout put the Irish side in a threatening position as they hammered at the try line, with propSophie Barrett crossing for the try. A successful conversion by flyhalf Dannah O’Brian followed, and an early tone was set in the Irish Capital.

Minutes later, another lineout within striking distance set up Wolfhounds’ hooker India Daley for a try in the corner to extend their lead.

Edinburgh retaliated with a confident spell of possession, however O’Brian’s boot sent a cross-field kick to winger Boylan for another Wolfhounds try with a quarter of the game played.

A swing in momentum saw Edinburgh regain control of the game and make their way into the opposition’s half, and flanker Cat Moody thundered through the Wolfhounds’ defence for Edinburgh’s first try. Centre Lucy MacRae converted, with Edinburgh’s confidence reignited ahead of the break.

Wolfhounds started the second half strongly as Barrett scored her second try of the game followed by a successful conversion. Shortly after, centre Higgins made a break down the wing and scored too, but was tackled high by the Edinburgh fullback who saw a yellow card for the foul.

Edinburgh struggled to escape their own half with Wolfhounds holding onto the majority of possession for the remainder of the game. A last minute try from Linda Djougang topped off Wolfhounds’ 34-7 win.

Edinburgh head coach Claire Cruikshank said: “It was always going to be tough coming across here to Ireland, we knew that, but I think the way we stuck in defensively in some pretty horrible conditions was brilliant. I’m super proud of the effort the girls put in.

“We got ourselves right back into things at 17-7 at half-time, but then the weather turned in the second half and the wind and rain picked up and we just couldn’t get out of our half because of the conditions.

“You can train all you want, but it’s really hard to know where you are until you get on the pitch against a proper opposition and, although we lost, I’m super proud of lots of things we did in the game. It gives us somewhere to start from and build from.”