J4 XV v Coolmine (H) 01.10.2016

St. Marys J4s v Coolmine:

Saturday, October 1st, saw the return of Metro 6 rugby to Templeville Road as St. Marys J4s took on a Coolmine side determined to spoil the party. The visitors came into this one looking for a second consecutive win at Templeville Road having narrowly beaten Marys at the tail end of last season. The boys in blue also came in looking to make a statement after a big win in their season opener at Tullamore.

The first half began as it meant to continue with both sides leaning heavily on their forwards. Early dominance upfront from the boys in blue from the likes of Lock Shane Fanning, could not yield any results as a combination of unforced errors and good defence from Coolmine kept them at bay. Against the run of play, Coolmine broke down the field and lay siege to the Marys try line. With much of the visitors attack coming through their number 8, his injury and subsequent substitution looked to blunt their onslaught. Marys own Naos Cunningham gave his first-hand account of the hit which swung the game away for Marys.

“Ah he did his AC, I hit him right in the shoulder sure. I knew once I made the tackle and I heard the pop, he was gone.”

Gone he was as Marys would only concede a penalty and go into half time with a scoreline of Marys 0 Coolmine 3.

The second half began with an increased sense of urgency from the homeside as they looked to capitalise on the missed opportunities of the first half. It did not take long for the first score to come as Marys silver haired centre Richard Pyne intercepted a Coolmine to run in the first try of the afternoon. With their tails up and the visitors tiring, the boys in blue started to really put the pressure on, with tries coming for Caolan Smith and a great solo break away effort from captain Mick Daly.

As the game entered it’s closing stages, Marys continued to look for openings in the Coolmine defensive line. A late break from Marys number 8 and the team’s resident OAP Gar Lloyd, allowed Caolan Smith in for his second try of the afternoon. Never ones to take defeat lying down, Coolmine pushed for late consolation and got try, however, it was too little too late as Marys ran out the victors by a scoreline of 28-10.

Two wins from two and nine tries scored have the J4s in top form right now with their next action a tough away game to Guinness where a game of rugby may break out in between the fighting.