Ireland internationals Eve Higgins and Alisa Hughes starred as Railway Union retained the Energia All-Ireland League Women’s Division Trophy with a 24-18 victory over Blackrock.
Higgins was named player of the match and scrum-half Hughes darted over for two tries to secure the victory in Donnybrook.
Railway went into the break 14-8 ahead courtesy of Hughes’ first try and one for Molly Scuffil-McCabe, with a rampaging run from the base of the scrum leading to a try for Blackrock No.8 Hannah O’Connor.
🍿 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀! 🍿
A superb #EnergiaAIL finale between @RFCRailwayUnion and @RockWomensRugby. #PositiveEnergy #NothingLikeIt pic.twitter.com/RpKq4EjjXP
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 28, 2022
Meabh Deely’s kicks kept Blackrock in touch but they were unable to fully capitalise on the numerical advantage when Katie Heffernan was sent to the sin bin.
Nikki Caughey added some points from the tee for the defending champions during that ten-minute window to limit the damage on the scoreboard.
Hughes’ brilliant support play enabled her to cross again but Emma Hooban scored for Blackrock and when Deely nudged the conversion from the touchline it was still a one-score game.
Railway suffered from more ill-discipline as tighthead Katie O’Dwyer picked up a yellow card but it was not enough to derail their challenge, the Sandymount club winning just their second ever, but successive, league title.