Perfect end to season for Ballymoney Ladies Rugby team

The girls beat Belfast Harlequins 17-10 to bring the season to a close.

Speaking to Times Sport on Monday, captain Jenny Murphy was still beaming with pride for her girls.

“It was great to end the season on a high,” told Jen.

“Our tries were scored by Victoria Wade, converted by Rachael Martin, and Lauren Marshall went over the line in the very last minute of the game,” explained the captain.

Stepping down as captain after two years at the helm, Jen is keen to encourage new players to sign up: “We had some good additions to the squad this year, Lauren Marshall and Shariee Nicholl, they are both very keen and have made move to the game of ladies rugby very easily.

“Our aim now is to strengthen the squad and perhaps push to get up in to the next league up.

“ We have some very experienced players in our ranks, girls that have been there from the start, but new faces are always welcome.

“We are currently in the development league along with Coleraine, we have been going now for six seasons so it would be good to make the move up,” she said.

The Ballymoney girls started off the first half of the Shield Final in fine form. They looked the stronger of the two teams, however play was disrupted mid way through the half after an injury to one of the Belfast Harlequins’ players. Play was stopped for ten minutes, but after that Harlequins scored two tries to leave the last minutes of the game a tight contest.

However, Lauren Marshall proved to the be hero when she crossed the line with the winning try.

“We were all so pleased with the win,” admitted Jen.

“The trip home was a mixture of excitement and exhaustion - it was a good way to end the season.”

Jen appealed to any ladies who fancy giving rugby a go to get in touch via their facebook page.

“We have girls who play football and others who play hockey, they seem to make the cross over easily. I have been playing now for the five seasons, it’s a great sport, and the girls are a great bunch.

“I would encourage anyone who is thinking about it, to come along,” she said.