Wolfhounds see off Clovers in Celtic Challenge opener
Ireland prop Linda Djougang scored the try of the match with a break from her own half
- Published
Wolhounds (14) 33
Tries: Larn, Djougang, Higgins, Burke, Flood Con: O'Brien 4
Clovers (7) 7
Tries: Penalty try
Holders Wolfhounds defeated Irish rivals Clovers with a bonus-point 33-7 win in their opening Celtic Challenge Cup match at Energia Park.
The Wolfhounds got the first try of the game after four minutes when Stacey Flood made a break and fed Amy Larn, which allowed the wing to touch down. Dannah O'Brien added the conversion.
The Clovers responded and had the ball held up over the line, but the moment of the match came when Ireland prop Linda Djougang picked the ball up in her own half, held off Enya Breen and broke clear for a super score. O'Brien again converted.
The Clovers responded well and got on the board when a maul was brought down right on the line, and a penalty try was awarded and Erin King was sent to the sin bin.
Eve Higgins extended the Wolfhounds' lead three minutes after the restart after spotting a gap and O'Brien made it three from three from the tee.
Watch: Wolfhounds prop Djougang scores stunning Celtic Challenge try
Replacement hooker Kelly Burke rounded off a rolling maul with 13 minutes remaining to secure the bonus-point try, and Ireland international O'Brien kept her perfect kicking record.
Flood, who competed for Ireland in Rugby Sevens at the Olympics, crashed over with eight minutes to play to secure a commanding win.
The sides face off again at UCD on Saturday, 28 December.
Wolfhounds: Stacey Flood; Vicky Elmes Kinlan, Aoife Dalton, Eve Higgins, Amy Larn; Dannah O'Brien, Katie Whelan; Niamh O'Dowd, Maebh Clenaghan, Linda Djougang; Alma Atagamen, Poppy Garvey, Molly Boyne, Claire Boles (capt), Erin King.
Replacements: Kelly Burke, Tricia Doyle, Caoimhe Molloy, Cliodhna Ni Chonchobhair, Ciara Short, Erin McConnell, Megan Burns, Katie Corrigan.
Clovers: Meabh Deely, Hannah Clarke, Ellen Boylan, Enya Breen (capt), Chisom Ugwueru; Nicole Fowley, Emily Lane; Siobhan McCarthy, Beth Buttimer, Sophie Barrett; Jane Neill, Ruth Campbell; Jemima Adams Verling, Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird,. Ivana Kiripati
Replacements: Saoirse Crowe, Grainne Burke, Sadhbh McGrath, Faith Oviawe, Edel McMahon, Grainne Moran, Caitriona Finn, Amee Leigh Costigan.