Women's 1st XV - Irvine
Oban Lorne Ladies took to the pitch at Glencruitten this Sunday against Irvine RFC. With the wind and rain picking up momentum before kick off the game was set to be rather soggy, making good handling even more crucial. A quick fumble from the kick off saw Oban’s first scrum deep in their own half. But not to be caught on the back foot, Oban’s Elaine Mitchell stole the ball swiftly and unleashed the backs gaining ground rapidly. After some quick forward carries showing power and determination Isla MacGillivray and Lindsay MacMillan ate up ground fast and allowed Poppy McKillop to find a gap and score her first try of the day. Ellie Macinnes adding the kick 7-0. From the restart Evie Kellet looked dangerous making good ground and forcing Irvine to make mistakes. Jordan MacIntyre covering the entire pitch saving rucks allowing Oban gather pace. An 8 pick from the back of the scrum made just enough room for Rachel MacDonald to glide over the line making it look effortless. Ellie again adding the extras, 14-0.
With a great team effort and some strong running from Elaine Mitchell and Alanna MacKenzie Oban created more gaps and released their backs once again. Katie MacCorkindale featuring at 12 for the first time for Oban, ripped her way through the Irvine defence and set up Poppy McKillop for her second try of the day. Not to be left off the score board Oban’s forwards picked up their pace with some brilliant handling from Ailsa MacCuish to Lindsay MacMillan and onto Julie Campbell ending up with Isla MacGillivray to thunder across the line leaving Irvine with no answer and Oban with yet another 7 points. Oban, now settling into their groove welcomed the return of Amy Gibson as she retuned from injury and planted her first score of the day over the line before the end of the first half leaving the score at 28-0.
Dominant Oban scrums set the tone for the second half, Irvine driven back and Elaine Mitchell stealing the majority of the opposition’s possession meant that the Oban backs had the freedom to stretch their legs with Amy Gibson gaining her second and third try of the day whilst Poppy McKillop claimed her third and fourth. Jordan MacIntyre reminded the park of her brilliance as she linked in with Katie MacCorkindale and Rebekah Palmer and broke though the Irvine defence allowing Ellie MacInnes to add her own try to the score and converted it beautifully from a pick and go off the back of a ruck. Not finished yet she added a second try before the final whistle blew leaving the score 73-0 in Oban’s favour. Katie MacCorkindale was awarded Player of the Match by Match Sponsors Markie Dans, whilst Rachel MacDonald was awarded Player of the Match by Irvine. Oban Ladies are in action again next weekend at home against Hamilton RFC.
