Ireland’s men and women were both convincing winners in senior internationals against Netherlands, played at RC The Bassetts in Sassenheim. Ireland’s women, preparing for the IRL Women’s World Series in Canada, scored eight tries in a 42-6 triumph, their men equally dominant, winning 30-0.
Kick off was slightly delayed due to a late incoming flight with several of the Irish players on board, and the games were played in blustery and heavy rain conditions due to Storm Amy. Molly Young opened Ireland’s account after strong runs from Iona McCusker and Stacy Hanley, Storm Cobain adding the extras.
McCusker burrowed her way over from dummy half as Ireland camped out on the Dutch line, and Cliodhna O’Sullivan just managed to ground the ball in goal on the left to push Ireland further ahead.
Netherlands got off the mark when Kaylee Geerlings barged her way through the middle, Tessa Van Zanten adding the extras, but Ireland were back on the board with the second of McCusker’s tries. Stephanie Carroll posted touchdowns two minutes before and then after half time, and Ireland finished strongly with Cobain adding a try to go with her five goals and Hanley crowning a strong performance with a deserved score.
Ireland women’s head coach, Matt Kennerson, commented: “I’m really happy, we’ve spent some time together recently and trained really hard and we looked like a team. The return of Stephanie Carroll settled us and Iona McCusker impressed but there were a number of great performances, it was a really good team effort. We set a tone early and this is a huge part of our preparation for the World Series. They’ll be a lot of video analysis before we face Nigeria and it’ll be an exciting two weeks, the girls can’t wait.”
Opposite number, Matt Rigby, said: “Credit to our girls today who battled hard in a physical game against a strong Ireland side. Playing against a much more experienced opposition was telling, but our girls didn’t step back. It was really good to see five debutants in a full-domestic squad who represented us well. Next up for us is Greece in Rotterdam in December, and we’ll need to be at our best to compete with them.”
Netherlands Women 6
Hiske Blom, Tessa Van Zanten, Monischa Hiermons, Dana Burik, Danique Nikkels, Nicky Dix, Rixt Aerts, Fiona Kalf, Vera Van Der Zwan, Eva Peroti, Anniek Nauta, Sylvie Moelee, Kaylee Geerlings
Interchanges: Fleur Michiels, Dominique Velema-Verheul, Eva Aerts, Eline Zomer.
Try: Geerlings (30)
Goal: Van Zanten 1/1
Ireland Women 42
Aimee Clarke, Lena Kibler, Stephanie Carroll, Molly Young, Cliodhna O’Sullivan, Emma Kelly, Jade Walker, Aifric N’Ghibne, Niamh Griffin, Stacy Hanley, Stom Cobain, Anna Potterton, Iona McCusker.
Interchanges: Polly Roberts, Molly Boyne, Becky Webb, Katie Anne McCallion
Tries: Young (1), McCusker (9, 34), O’Sullivan (24), Carroll (38, 42), Cobain (68), Hanley (72)
Goals: Cobain 5/8
Referee: Moray Gilland (Scotland)
Half Time: 6-28
Stormy conditions greeted the men, Ireland grinding out a win against a Netherlands side who showed plenty of promise but ultimately lacked the firepower to breach the Wolfhounds defence. Prop Daniel Lynch crossed early for the visitors with a strong run through the middle, skipper James Farrar adding the conversion.
The pouring rain showcased both sides defensive efforts, Stephen Cahill extending the Irish lead just before the break as the ball found its way out wide, but Farrar unable to convert in the howling gale.
Ireland started the second half strongly Oliver Whitford slicing through in the opening set and Lewis Wing going over out wide ten minutes later. Whitford added his second on the hour mark, standoff Farrar with the final word, converting his own try for ten points to seal a solid personal performance.
Ireland men’s coach, Wayne Kerr, noted: “It was a great game, a proper arm wrestle and a great result for us. All of our middles were awesome, but it was a really good team effort. We get back into the grind again now for Wales in November.”
“The effort was there and attitude on defence good,” said Netherlands men’s coach Dave Hunter. “It’s a good first hit out for the year, and given the coaching staff an idea of who is up for the task moving forward going into the game against Ukraine and then Euro B.”
Netherlands Men 0
Maas van der Reek, Thomas Frencken, Mike Prins, Hidde Van Den Berg, Stan Boersma, Kees Kuijpeers, Arie Tjerk Razoux Schultz, Mauricio Gomez-Pazos, Rik Boats, Tom Turnock, Paul Kuijpers, Mavi Geevers, Tom Van Bokhoven.
Interchanges: Ruben Stuifzand, Shadan Lavia, Sylan Vonken, Sam Kulmpert.
Ireland Men 30
Oliver Whitford, Stephen Cahill, Paul McCullagh, Aaron Lynch, Lewis Wing, James Farrar, Tom Ashurst, Jamie Gill, Will Walker, Daniel Lynch, Conlan Mawson, Daniel Coop, Liam O’Callaghan.
Interchanges: Ryan Hogg, Oisin Carroll, Darie Kemp, Conor Mahon.
Tries: Lynch (2), Cahill (38), Whitford (41, 59), Wing (50), Farrar (65)
Goals: Farrar 3/6
Referee: Hans Verveer (Netherlands)
Half Time: 0-10
