Clondalkin 1sts (19) vs Portarlington (18)

Leinster League Division 2

Article by Jonny Stapleton



















Andy Dixon burns the Portarlington 14



Clondalkin firsts fed their league title hopes a much needed helping of hope in Gordon Park last Saturday and proved Portarlington are not an invincible force in the process. Despite attempting to press the self destruct button right at the death, gifting their opponents the chance to win a tense and exciting tie with the last kick of the game; Clon managed what no other team has this season in defeating the midlands outfit.

The hard fought and deserved win over the league leaders virtually puts promotion back in the Gordon Park sides hands and keeps their pre season title winning target alive. After all but gifting Portarlington victory in the corresponding fixture months earlier and defeating AIL side Navan to record their first Towns Cup win the week previous, unlike other teams in the division, Clon were confident of a result over Port prior to kick off. As a result the started the game well and a massive hit from Alan Hickey laid down a marker of intent.

There was no doubting the visitors class, but Clon shaded the early exchanges and thanks to the boot of Chris Jebb took a 6-3 lead midway through the half. Jebbs kicking from hand was also impressive and he ensured territory for the hosts. However Portarlington are as dangerous from deep as they are on the opposition five and they made territory irrelevant by continually running from their line.

The divisions top side often created over laps and successfully attacked Clon out wide. Only a superb Andy Dixon cover tackle prevented them taking full advantage of one such probe mid way through the half, but it wasnt long before Port docked over Clons line and took a 10-6 lead.

The visitors took a quick tap penalty just ten meters from their own try line and instantly turned defence into attack. They almost immediately a four on one before their lethal full back raced home under the posts to give them a lead they took into the break. Clondalkin didnt seem too concerned at the break. They had dominated the line out and carried ball well in the opening period and they set about getting back into the game directly after the turn.

And after Gary Donnelly and Jebb had combined to create a try scoring chance out wide Cunningham put an end to continuous forward darts for the line by converting a close range drop goal. Port immediately attempted to hit back and once again avoided head on confrontations with the impressive home pack, moving it wide at every opportunity.

It may have been a little too frantic, last ditch and nervy for the large home support but the Clon defence survived the temporary onslaught, thanks in particular to one massive Paul McDermot hit. And it wasnt long before Clon were on the front foot. Donnelly again came close this time after a Mark Molloy snipe before Brian Doyle, Sean Dunne and the impressive Rob Dever all had a go to no avail. Clon did regain the lead however when some superb Paul Nolan pressure enabled Cunningham to win a penalty which Jebb converted to make 12-10 to the home side.

Clon then set about finishing of the tie in the away half. Superb kicks from Jebb, Cunningham and Hickey put Port back in their own 22 and hits from Ciaran Cullen, Hickey, Simon King, Mike Night Ryder, Nolan, Ronan Murphy amongst others kept them there. A very uncharacteristic error from last seasons player of the year Paul Nolan then allowed the visitors kick from their 22 and get a penalty at the opposite end of the field. The pace setters took full advantage a stole a point advantage.

Clon, however didnt let their heads drop and when scrum half Mark Molloy latched onto a line out men twice his size missed he set in place a sequence of events that lead to Clondalkins only try. Molly kicked for the corner before Dever received the Arlington clearing kick and crashed down the line. Quick recycled ball found its way to Dixon who broke one tackle before switching with former AIL player Jebb who couldnt be stopped from close range touching down to give the hosts a late lead.

The drama wasnt to end there however Portarlington were not keen to relinquish their unbeaten status. They tried to strike back instantly and only a forward pass prevented them from registering five after another marvellous move. Despite the set back the visitors continued to press and again Clondalkin were forced to produce more last ditch defending heroics. A double Doyle and Nolan hit the most note worthy of many late hits.

As if to test the hearts of the home support Clon then wasted two late chances to clear there lines and gifted the visitors possession in the danger zone. A side which reside at the top of the table are not one to look a gift horse in the mouth and crossed the white wash with the last play of the game to leave a fragile point between the sides.

A converted conversion was all that stood between Portarlington and a maintained 100 percent record, but their out half kicked wide making it unlucky game number 13 and it was Clon who were celebrating at the final whistle.

Added by Murts February 8, 2010 (4:23PM)

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