Clondalkin 1st XV (12) vs Clane 1st XV (10)

leinster league division 2

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By Jonny Stapleton

The whole of Gordon Park were celebrating with birthday boy Chris Jebb last Sunday afternoon, as he slotted over a last gasp penalty to ensure victory for Clondalkin despite a somewhat mundane display against Clane.

Jebb, who was celebrating just his 22nd birthday, stepped up with just three minutes to go to slot the ball between the post rescuing Clon from disappointing defeat in the process.

Despite witnessing a far from convincing display, one which in fact prompted more groans of frustration than cheers of appreciation, the home support celebrated like they had witnessed a rampant run away stylish victory.

Winning ugly has always been a problem for the Gordon Park side(and not just because they boast in Seanie Brennan, Collie McHuge, Jebb and Supermodel Steve Cunningham some of the more handsome men in Leinster rugby) and Sunday was certainly a rare occasion were they under performed and still came away with a result.

Having a reputable goal kicker in Jebb has helped in that regard but in fairness to the team they fought and battled to the death and eventually got the score their pressure and efforts deserved right on full time.

The recurring slow start ailment hit Clon once more and after an early Jebb penalty they gifted away the lead rather than just surrendered it by letting in a soft try.

A number of home errors were eventually punished when the visitors finished from close range to make it 3–7 with less than ten minutes played.

Clon eventually found their feet but failed to really impose themselves in a very physical encounter.

An intelligent Jebb clearance eventually enabled the full back to put the hosts in within one after Simon King-who wins more peno’s than Christain Ronaldo and Edwardo put together, albeit in a very different manner- done well in the chase to eventually win a penalty.

Jebb continued to impress this time his kicking from hand rather than tee hurting Clane. His clearance ensuring good territory for Clon, but they once again struggled to threaten the line.

They looked individually potent but collectively struggled to take advantage of scoring opportunities.

The hosts were dominating a lot of the personal battles with Ciaran Cullen, King, Rob Deever and Nolan doing well in the tight. Diminutive scrum half Mark Molloy was very industrious and inspiringly competitive around the park and the back three looked potentially lethal.

However Clon just like Clane struggled to create anything in the way of try scoring opportunities.

Jebb did make an attempt at the line after a lovely skip pass from Alan Hickey but was stopped just short after electing against using Gary Donnelly, a superb finisher in his own right, who was in support.

More ballsy break down King work did give Jebb a chance to reclaim the advantage for Clon but he kicked wide a feat he repeated and Clane’s out half didn’t leaving it 10-6 at the turn.

Clon were forced into changes at the break but there was an air of confidence going into the second half.

Within minutes wingers Donnelly and Nolan both tested the visiting resolve initially after good work by Paul McDermot and Molloy followed by some intelligent Hickey play.

Brian Doyle showed no signs of suffering like Sampson when moments latter and despite his recent shearing he was held up after dragging half the bulky Clane back over the line with him.

A Clon score did eventually arrive with Jebb again reducing the deficit from the kicking tee.

At that point, and with a single point in it, it seemed like Clon were going to go on and register successive home victories, but despite continuing to dominate the hosts struggled to convert pressure into points.

Some basic errors and a general lack of cohesion lead to a number of attacks breaking down.

And as the clock ticked closer to the 80 minute mark a panic pandemic spread through the Clon side quicker than the swine flu through Mexico .

Sean Brennan and particularly Paul Nolan were so dominant in the line out that they forced Clane to get uncomfortably creative ensuring a great deal of possession for the hosts. While Sean Dunne, one of the smallest props in Leinster Rugby, proved once and for all that size doesn’t matter, well when it comes to propping anyway.

The prop, who returned to front row after a year sabbatical in the centre, was nothing short of sensational in his battle against his opposite Man Mountain and helped the home pack destroy the visiting scrum. Again an occurrence which ensured Clondalkin had a higher possession percentage.

Putting that possession to good work seemed a problem however and Clon struggled to get the score they needed.

But just when it looked like Clane were going to hold out Mark Molloy turned over a ball he had no right to win. The little scrum-half’s heroics were instantly matched by Gary Donnelly, a man renowned for his silky side step, as he surprisingly opted for the direct route and drove the ball 25 meters, right into the Clane 22. That in turn inspired a passage of play that lead to a penalty Jebb converted to ensure an ugly win for the hosts.

The winner of this weeks player watch with a total of 14 votes was Conor Caslin. Conor was instrumental in all 4 of Clondalkins scores with the important delivery of the kicking tee to Chris Jebb. The Adam Sandler lookalike also doubled as The Waterboy from time to time but was unused by the end of the match. Clondalkinrugby.com have been monitoring his progress of late and brought up the fact that he did not play in their exclusive interview with some of the first team coaching staff after the game. The coaching staff were in agreement that Conor was unlucky not to be used and paid tribute to his strong performances of late. It is testament to the team this season that a player of Conors calibre is unable to hold down a starting spot in the team but we here at clondalkinrugby.com believe Conor is due a break in the next few weeks.

As Conor did not take part in the actual game, player watch focussed on the runner up in the poll. Blue Wicked Andy Dixon got a total of 13 votes mainly thanks to the people at Canada Life. Wearing more armour than Robocop, Andy had a good day at the office marshalling the defense all day and put in several important tackles early in the game. However, as the game developed into a forward battle Andys influence became less and less and he did not see much of the ball in the second. Luckily for Andy the scouts for the Kenyan national team were unable to make the game and so Andy will have to wait a little longer to tog out for his native land.

Added by Murts October 19, 2009 (6:56PM)

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