It was a cool, dry evening in Tuam, as the Colts squad warmed up for their Plate final game, nervous, but excited. Could they bring back some silverware to their club at the end of their very first season?

From the kick off, the Colts showed they were up for the challenge, with Muireann Gormley quickly scoring the first try, running the field with an escape from play. Tuam came back quickly with a try.

The Colts communicated well and worked as a team throughout the game, with well worked tries from Nicolle Mullee, followed by Michaela Gormely, with Hannah Duffy converting both.
Lara Quirke scored the next try from beating the pack, again converted by Hannah Duffy.

Tuam put up a good defence of the Colts’ outstanding drives from our forwards Molly Agger and Aisling Hahessy, as always in the thick of it, moving forward and driving through gaps and passing to positions with positive results, supported by Zoe Jennings. Hooker Aine Mangan was very effective in mauls, winning the ball from the opposition, and her throw ins to the lineouts were spot on as always.

Forwards Emma McGing and Tara Cooley showed courage in their tackling and drove through with excellent gain of ground.
With some strong attacking play, Tuam scored another try, but fly half Vicky Jennings kept her backs organised, always moving forward in attack with good support from with Ellen McHugh, Rebecca Fleming and Louise Reaney, and holding a steady defensive line.

Full back Orlaith Duffey was outstanding, catching kicks, sprinting up the field into Tuam’s half, as well as excellent kicking and chasing from the back of scrums, supported by wingers Michaela and Muireann Gormely.

Scrum half Kaitlyn Mullaney had several breaks from the back of the scrum, catching the Tuam defence off guard, running the field to score a try, and preventing another Tuam break away try with a determined chase and tackle.

Ten minutes to go, and with our defence under attack, a penalty was conceded, and Tuam scored a third try. Then the floodlights failed and the conversion had to wait until light was restored. The final try of the game was scored by Kaitlyn Mullaney.

Ellen McHugh was the captain for the day, showing leadership and she gave an excellent speech during the presentation of the Plate.
The Colts played to their strengths, passing the ball between players, side stepping and running through gaps in the Tuam defence, putting into practice all they have learned through their first season.
The final score was Colts 38 Tuam 15.

Colts: Molly Agger, Hannah Duffy, Orla Duffy, Michaela Gormely, Muireann Gormley, Aishling Hahessy, Vicky Jennings, Zoe Jennings, Aine Mangan, Emma McGing, Ellen McHugh, Kaitlyn Mullaney, Nicole Mullee, Lara Quirke, Lousie Reaney.
Subs: Tara Cooley, Rebecca Fleming, Sinead O’Brien.