J4 XV v Monkstown (H) – 09.11.2019
St. Mary’s College R.F.C. 43 – Monkstown F.C. 14
Metro League Division 9
9th November 2019, Templeville Road
The last time these sides faced was in the Metro League Division 10 final last season with Monkstown getting the win on that occasion. With many of the team having played last year’s final it was very much a catalyst for their emphatic 7 try win against Monkstown.
St. Mary’s started the half on the main pitch with a strong wind at their backs. Monkstown began the game at a frantic pace, employing an offloading game which spread the Mary’s defence and Monkstown exploited gaps across the park but were unable to execute their opportunities fully. Mary’s began to adjust to the Monkstown gameplan and our mobile backline took advantage of Monkstown’s offloading with Jack McSharry making an intercept on the half way line and running all the way in for the first try.
St. Mary’s followed up with another score very soon after with some excellent work between the forwards and backline for Jonathan Kennedy to score under the posts to give Mary’s a 14-0 lead. Monkstown responded with a try of their own with their centre breaking several tackles to dot down under the posts. However Mary’s did not let this break their stride and were a constant attacking threat from all positions. Tom Parker, in particular a thorn in the Monkstown side he shipped several tackles to give Mary’s a 21-7 lead at half time.
With St. Mary’s facing a very strong wind they focused more on possession based rugby rather than kicking and this seemed to reap dividends with almost every carry and pass leading to attacking chances. With some changes made at half time it did nothing to stop Mary’s momentum and tries from Rory Litton and a hat trick of superb scores from prop Colin Smyth was a just reward for Mary’s who never let up in the game and ran out 43-14 winners. Overall this was an excellent team performance where Mary’s were clinical in taking their chances and stopping the threat of an experienced Monkstown side.
St. Mary’s lie joint first in Division 9 and in 2 weeks are away to Dublin University.
Squad: 1. Gary Masterson, 2. Aaron Doherty, 3. David Browne, 4. Elliot Chambers, 5. David Kennedy 6. Jack Cosgrove, 7. James Collery, 8. Tom Parker, 9. Conor Quinn, 10. Harry Fanning, 11. Dylan Croke, 12. Eric Dunne, 13. Jonathan Kennedy, 14. Cian McBrien, 15. Jack McSharry, 16. Rory Litton, 17. Paul Brittain, 18. Caglar Tuc, 19. Colin Smyth, 20. Adam Martin.