28.01.2012 J4 XV v Greystones (H)
| 28/01/2012 | 2:30pm | League | St. Marys J4 XV | 6 – 17 | Greystones | Home |
St Marys 6 – Greystones 17
The J4’s had been waiting for this game since the 54-0 drubbing we took to an exceptionally strong Stones J4 outfit at the start of the league campaign. While revenge was on the minds, the main aim was to show Stones that we could put it up to them and to prove to ourselves that this self titled Greystones “Galacticos” team could be beaten.
The game started with early pressure from both sides in equal measure. Eventually Stones got the first break and slotted a penalty for 3-0. Within a few minutes disaster struck and after some unusually poor defence from us, Greystones scored in the corner and converted to leave the score at 10-0. While Stones may have expected a collapse, and “Looks like trouble” could be heard from the sidelines, the lads decided to up the intensity again and after Eamon was held up over the line, Ted kicked the penalty advantage to make it 3-10. While we piled on the pressure and drove a physically superior pack back time and time again, a breakaway hoof down the pitch saw their winger up against No.8 Padraig Nestor and uimhir a ceathair Joe Doddy in a long run to the line. Nestor judged the bounce of the ball perfectly and deliberately slowed his pace to ensure the wingers hack kick would fall his way!
Having survived this scare we managed to get into the Stones 22 again and Ted utilized his new tee to good effect and made it 6-10 at half time.
The second half was a mixed bag, with both sides having periods of pressure, Stones just edging it on territorial advantage. As the game began to get sloppy due to the heavy ground and a string of yellow cards for both sides we were forced into running from deep. It was off one of these attempts that there No.6 intercepted and trotted in under the posts for the match winning score. Despite huge further pressure from Stones the defence held firm and the score remained 6-17.
All in all the J4’s proved they were more than capable of holding their own against the “galacticos”. With the league a lost cause we can concentrate on getting the lads ready for the cup campaign. On the evidence of today, we have no team to fear and hopefully can regain the cup last won two years ago.
Ian Grimson