1st XV v Blackrock (H) by D. O’Brien – 20.01.2007
St Marys College RFC V Blackrock College RFC
38 10
Templeville Road
20th January 2007-01-21
With stinging rain blowing in a harsh wind it was not a day fashioned for the faint hearted or indeed for rugby football but nobody told the players, for this was a truly entertaining and skilful game. Make no mistake it was a well-deserved win for St Marys and one when they showed a full range of abilities. After a terrific win in the cup last week, we had hopes and these were fully justified. The game was played at good pace and with sustained intensity; for St Mary’s supporters it was a treat. The St Mary’s scrum was solid, as was the tackling, the rucking and ground games were top class, the handling sure, the maul was superb and the wide game bloomed with quality ball. After such a sparkling performance and win, it was a little irritating to learn later, that the bottom four teams all won, however we can only go on wining, and indeed if we continue to play as we did yesterday, that we will often do.
There is an old saying that the proof of the pudding is in the eating and this was shown clearly in this game; for the fruits of the endless hard labours of our coaches Steven Hennessy and Peter Smyth were shown in a fine all round performance.
There was a fair crowd to see Blackrock kick off, with St Marys playing towards the “Cabbage Patch End” into the gale. Playing that way first half always gives the supporters optimism. After four minutes a Mary’s maul trundled relentlessly forward for over 30 metres and then when inside the Rock 22 the ball was swept out wide to end up in the eager hands of the excellent Ronan Doherty who finished in style. On seven minutes Rock were awarded a penalty, which F Carr converted. In spite of the wind, Marys continued to play fine rugby with some lovely touches and kept possession very well with a high intensity pick and go game. After 32 minutes a real gem of a try was scored. Having taken a good lineout another maul was formed and it rumbled onward, directed by the inspired skipper, Logie, then when eventually stopped, the ball came to Jonno who, with the deftest of passes, gave the ball to Ronan coming at top pace and power inside him, he slalomed through the Rock defence and near the line found Steven Grissing outside him and he went over for an outstanding try. Fortunes ebbed and flowed for both sides up to half time.
It was great to see Kieran Lewis come on after half time, he took the inside centre spot and Rob Gannon retired satisfied with his work. Within a few minutes of the second half beginning, it became clear that we were not going to blow this one for we took over and the halfbacks controlled the game in style. Seven minutes were on the clock when the pick and go game brought us from a lineout at the half way to near the line and a mini- maul brought us over the line with Steven Bradshaw getting the touch down and Jonno converted to make it 17 –3. And only three minutes later a rejuvenated John Mc Weeney made progress down the right touch line and Hugh Hogan, one of the trio of heroic backrowers, took it on to near the line, then the ball was swung out wide, with a lovely pass on the way by Mattie Duggan (Yes he who is a Prop), and Phillip Brophy, now at fullback, came in at an angle to score close in. Jonno Sexton added the two points. It was now 24 –3, “mirabile dictu”. Twenty-two minutes were gone when Robert (Chops) Sweeney, who will be well pleased with his contribution, added another; Jonno again converted. Meanwhile Rock had got their consolation try and conversion, so the score was 31 – 10. The pace of the game never dropped, while Henric Gervais and Eoin Keane, later Colm Mc Mahon joined the fray and after yet another fine attack by Marys, Kieran Lewis made a subtle little half break to give the opportunity to Steven Grissing to add to his tally and he took it with panache. That is how it ended 38 – 10. Not bad folks?
Remember we visit top flight Clontarf next week, a tough assignment, but after yesterday’s performance we will fear none. However we really do need your support so get your visa to visit north Dublin and turn up; that is an order.
Team R Gannon, (K Lewis) J Mc Weeney, S Grissing, P Brophy, R Doherty, J Sexton, M Darcey, H Hogan, B Donoghue (H Gervais), W Duggan, S Bradshaw (E Keane), G Logan, Robert Sweeney, Richard Sweeney (C Mc Mahon), M Duggan.
PS. later watching Munster being disassembled by Leicester, an English club side, it occurred to me that many might be having second thoughts about Ireland winning the Six Nations (and RWC?), when they consider that that was virtually the Irish pack (and indeed the halves).
D O’Brien