Ireland denied as Women’s tie abandoned

Ireland’s icy weather conditions took their toll last night as the Women’s RBS 6 Nations opener against Wales was abandoned due to a frozen pitch at Ashbourne RFC.

The decision was taken at half-time with Ireland leading 10-3.

The hosts had most of the pressure in the opening quarter and the large home support certainly weren’t disappointed when Ailson Miller delivered a 18th minute try after a superb run.

Niamh Briggs pushed Ireland 7-0 ahead with the conversion, but the hosts were forced to defend strongly over the next 20 minutes.

Although Wales were reduced to 14 players following the 36th minute sin-binning of flanker Sioned Harries, they piled on the pressure and forced a 40th minute penalty, which Prosser converted.

Briggs pushed Ireland 10-3 clear with the last kick of the half, seven minutes into injury-time.

Scorers for Ireland: A Miller try; N Briggs, con, pen.

Scorer for Wales: L Prosser Pen.

IRELAND: A Baxter; N Kavanagh, N Briggs, G Davitt, A Miller; L Cantwell, A Davis; F Coghlan, G Bourke, A Egan, ML Reilly, S Spence, L Guest, C Molloy, J Neville.

WALES: M Evan; C Murray, P Tuttiett, A Taviner, R Fletcher; N Thomas, L Prosser; C Thomas, R Bowden, J Davies, V Owens, S Powell-Hughes, S Harries, R Taylor, J Kift. Replacement: C Flowers for Kift (26)

Referee: Kevin White (SRU).