EIRA U18s 2-0 in Spain

The Eagle Impact Rugby Academy (EIRA) Girls’ U18 team is 2-0 in Spain and will close with a July 13 match against UE Santboiana. The tour group started with a 26-5 win against Rugby Catalunya U19 last week and then followed with a 15-7 win against senior club CAU Valencia on Tuesday. (All photos and game details c/o Pat Moroney @patmoroney)

Related: EIRA U18 Tour Roster

EIRA director Salty Thompson in the huddle / Photo: Pat Moroney

EIRA’s opener was actually contested two days sooner than originally scheduled. So after 36 hours on the ground and two training sessions, the 26 players kicked off tour inside the beautiful Camp Municipal De Rugby La Foixarda. Tries from Tahna Wilfley, Erin Croke, Teagan Barth and Lucy Walker, and conversions from Caitlin Moroney (2) and Molly Kennedy produced a 26-5 win against the Rugby Catalunya U19s.

Teagan Barth / Photo: Pat Moroney

On the evening of July 9, EIRA was back on the pitch, this time to face a senior women’s team in CAU Rugby Valencia. The game took place in another superb facility, a 4G pitch in the city center.

“EIRA was on the attack from the start of the game, but the CAU defense was physical,” Moroney wrote. “They knocked the ball loose or successfully turned it over at the ruck several times. EIRA was moving the ball well and attacked sideline to sideline but was stopped every time. After 20 minutes, there was a water break, during which captain Tahna Wilfley could reorganize the attack.”

(l-r) Shannonhouse, Moroney, Kissinger / Photo: Pat Moroney

Pat Moroney’s daughter, Caitlin, was high-tackled just short of the line, and the front row when quick from the mark. With the support of Rachel Kissinger and Jordynn Shannonhouse, Moroney barreled over the line for the try and 5-0 lead.

“Osooso Sulunga and Kiernan Myles distributed well from 10 and 12, putting Erin Croke, Kissinger and Shannonhouse into space in the center of the field,” Moroney called out standouts. “Katija Crawford carried powerfully throughout the game from eightman, while Teagan Barth and Carolina ‘Little’ Martinez were lively on the wing but couldn’t shake loose the CAU defenders.”

Hazel Pron en route to try zone / Photo: Pat Moroney

Center Walker and flanker Wilfley lead the way defensively, and that pressure helped set up flanker Hazel Pron for EIRA’s second try. Fullback and Player of the Game Molly Kennedy converted for the 12-0 lead.

The home side got on the board after 10 minutes of pressure, 12-7, and tension mounted as the clock wore down. EIRA won that battle, eventually capitalizing with a Kennedy penalty in front of the posts: 15-7 the final.

Photo: Pat Moroney

Day 10 of tour will see the team’s final match — July 13 vs. UE Santboiana. From there, the EIRA U16s will pick up the tour in Ireland.