J4 XV v Wanderers (H) 11.03.2017

While the main support were over watching our first team v UCD, on the back pitch our J4s were playing Wanderers in the Metro Division 6 League fixture. If we won this game we would go top of the league.
It was a warm dry day on Saturday. Total opposite to the weather we had to endure the previous Monday.

Before the game head coach Mick Flats had called us in to have a “get the heads right chat ”
As he said if we got our minds focused everything else would fall into place .We have the best defense in the league and had to believe in our own ability.
We started immediately , from a scrum on our own 10 yard line , the ball was spread to captain Mick Daly in the centre who stepped and accelerated through the would be tackles , then passing to his centre partner Richard Pyne , who put our newest Chilean Kurt McNab in space as he raced for the corner flag . The cover got to him but our scrum half Denis Daly was there to pick up the ball at the tackle on fall over the line. 5-0 after 3 mins. Our heads were right. Next up after securing a lineout our Out half David Daly chips a superb kick over their defense into the left hand corner , the ball bounces up into the hands of our winger Dan Hurley , conversion by Dave , score now 12-0 .
We were now beginning to click with forwards securing ball for our backline who were on form. Then our centre Richard Pyne scored. 17-0. Half time.

We were all having a good day at the office. Our lineout and scrum were solid. Our backs were on fire. Two changes were made. Loose head Prop Taylor was replaced by Donagh Ryan, and our Vintage No 8 Gar Lloyd was replaced by Padraig Nestor.

Second half began with Wanderers all fired up and the Ref trying to bring them back in the game. They scored first 17-7 now. Then the ref gives our fullback James Walsh a yellow card for not placing/ releasing the ball in the tackle .We were a little perplexed and then out comes a yellow to our out half for not retreating the 10yards at the lineout . Down to 13 men, we tackled hard. Cometh the hour cometh the man. Captain Mick Daly gets the ball and with a step and a swivel of the hips he is away to score in the corner. Score now 22-7 .Still down to 13 men Wanderers get a converted try, now 22-14 game still on. We then get our sin binned players back. Our pack maul up the pitch, David Browne our tight head leading the charge like a bull in full charge, followed by our flanker David Balfour and Hooker Chris Kane. We were fired up now. After all the good work from the pack our scrum half Denis gets in for a second , con by Dave .Score now 29-14 .. The pack are picking and going, great work by Nestor who pops to Fanj, who then gives a skilful reverse pass to Fagan his second row partner. He is at full speed heading for the line. No one is there to tackle him. That’s the problem with Fagan he wants contact. He hasn’t scored a try all year and this is his moment. He goes to lift the ball to produce a dramatic dive, but he forgot to bring the ball with him, he leaves the ball behind him. Fagan ends up over the line, the ball is picked up by a Wanderers player and rucked up the pitch. They go over the top at a ruck, penalty called. A shout comes in from the coaches. Scrum called and give it to Mick. Last play, we win the scrum, ball passed to Mick, he in turn runs through their defense and passes a perfect ball to the on running Fullback James Walsh who touches down for a fine finish to the game. Conversion by Dave Daly. Final score 36-14 to the blue.

We now are into the league playoff final v Old Belvedere in Anglesea Road the date and time tbc but it will be the either the Friday or Saturday 24th or 25th of March .
If you are reading this article, why not come along and give these lads your support. They have trained extremely hard over the season. They give 100% and deserve some club support as they will be the first team this season to be in a final.

Team
15. James Walsh
14. Kurt McNab
13. Richard Pyne
12. Mick Daly
11. Dan Hurley
10. David Daly
9. Denis Daly
8. Gar Lloyd
7. Dan Hegarty
6. David Balfour
5. Richard Fagan
4. Shane Fanning
3. David Browne
2. Chris Kane
1. Taylor Berliant
Subs Donagh Ryan, Keith Gavaghan, Ryan Barnes, Padraig Nestor and Alessandro.