WOMEN'S SIX NATIONS/Ireland 40 Italy 10:IRELAND SECURED their first win in this season's Women's Six Nations thanks to a six-try win at Ashbourne last night.
It was a well-deserved victory for the hosts, who came agonisingly close against France last time out, with a one-point defeat, and had also led 10-3 against Wales before frost at the Meath venue called a premature halt to proceedings in the opening round.
The large home attendance were treated to a superb Irish display, leading from the fifth minute when lock Marie Louise Reilly broke through for the opening try.
Offaly native Niamh Kavanagh delivered the second try for her side in the 14th minute after being put through by Joy Neville, and wide on the right Kavanagh burst towards the line unobstructed.
Neville turned from provider to poacher in the 29th minute claiming the third try, after capitalising on a poor Italian clearance.
With all of these tries converted by the unerring Niamh Briggs, Ireland moved to a 21-0 lead after 30 minutes.
Italy bounced back with a Cristina Molic try to ensure a 21-7 interval score-line.
A Michela Tondinellia drop goal cut the deficit 15 minutes into the second half after the visitors had been camp in the Irish half.
However, Ireland showed huge character to register three further tries. Amy Davis crossed the line in the 62nd minute after all of the spade work had been done by Ailson Miller around the middle of the field. The latter made a firm dash towards the line, but was halted 10 metres out by Italian hooker Sara Zanon.
However Ireland continued to press with Davis eventually crossing the line to push Ireland 26-10 ahead.
Kavanagh followed up with her second try in the 72nd minute and second-half replacement Jennifer Murphy crossed the line in injury time to ensure a 30-point win.
IRELAND: A Baxter; N Kavanagh, N Briggs, G Davitt, A Miller, L Cantwell, A Davis; F Coghlan, G Bourke, A Egan, ML Reilly, S Spence, L Guest, C Molloy, J Neville. Replacements: H O’Brien for Reilly (55 mins); P Fitzpatrick for Egan (58 mins); S Fleming for Guest (64 mins); L Muldoon for Davis (71 mins); N Caughey for Briggs (77 mins); R O’Reilly for Coghlan (79 mins); J Murphy for Baxter (79 mins).
ITALY: V Schiavon; M Furlan, M Sillari, P Zangirolami, MD Veronese, M Tondinelli, S Barattin; E Chucchiella, S Zanon, L Gai, F Severin, C Molic, M Este, G Campanella, S Gaudino. Replacements: A Trevisan for Campanella (47 mins); C Castellarin for Sillari (58 mins); V Chindamo for Barattin (70 mins); M Bettoni for Gai (71 mins); S Stefan for MD Vernose (72 mins); M Nespoli for C Molic (76 mins); D Ballarini for Zanon (76 mins).
Referee: Joyce Henry (Canada).
