Connacht Rugby hosted its first Women's Invitational Sevens tournament recently at the University of Galway RFC grounds at Dangan Fields.

Kinsale kicked off the event with a fine win over the Derby Tigers - who had travelled from the English midlands for the event - before a well-contested local derby between Galwegians and UCG went the way of 'Wegians.

The perfect playing conditions led to some fantastic open, running rugby from all sides but at the end of the pool stage there were two clear leaders, Kinsale and Galwegians.

The playoff for the plate was a very tight affair between Derby and UCG with the Tigers beating the hosts by a single try to clinch the consolation silverware.

All eyes then turned to the final, where 'Wegians and Kinsale traded early tries.

Under the watchful eyes of referee Mick Roach, the game remained in the melting pot for some time but with Irish International Nuala Ni Chaidhain in fine form, Galwegians eventually proved too strong and claimed the title with a 27 - 17 win.

Kinsale will be buoyed by a very strong display throughout and the future looks bright for the Cork-based club. All the teams joined up afterwards for some food and refreshments in Busker Browne's and plans were already being made for next year's assault on the title.

Connacht Womens Rugby Development Officer Wendy Hickey was pleased with the success of the event. "The initiative is important for the development of the women's game.

We want to grow our club game and while the fifteen-a-side game is the standard area of development, Sevens is an easy way to get new clubs off the ground," said Ms Hickey.

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