Thrid Team Friendly

Balbriggan 6 Clondalkin 36 Article by Jonny Stapleton 　 Clondalkin third string turned a six point deficit into a 30 point advantage to defeat Balbriggan’s second string to register successive away victories last Saturday.

Clon displayed fight and spirit in abundance when forced to battle the elements, as well as a spirited Balbriggan, in a hard fought opening period, before employing a great deal of flair and style to wrap up a comfortable victory in the second.

It was another mature performance from the undefeated young side but they will have to be aware stiffer tests lay ahead.

With a strong breeze hampering Clon’s hopes of decent territory in the first half the visitors found themselves forced to defend for large periods. Just like the week previous, however, the Clon line never looked like being breached.

All advances out wide were rejected and repelled by centres Joey Lovett and Dave Moody whilst the pack refused to be bullied up front. The entire front eight supported by scrum half Mark Quinlan were particularly stingy when it came to giving away points.

Strong carries from Chris Murray and some brilliant penalty winning Graham Gallagher work at the break down provided temporary reprieve for Clon, but even that couldn’t prevent them failing behind to two sweetly struck penalties.

With the turn around fast approaching it looked like the Gordon Park side were going to go into the break behind, but Carl Horan had other ideas. The delightfully unpredictable winger came in off the blindside wing, took a lovely line off ten and left the home defence in his wake to touch down under posts. Quinlan tacked the extra’s and the visitors took a slender 6-7 advantage into the turn.

With the breeze changing from Clondalkin foe to friend after the break the visitors played territory and set up residency in the opposition 22 but didn’t find their hosts too welcoming. It was Balbriggan’s turn to show resolve and they battled tenaciously to keep out the likes of Gallagher, captain Simon Cumminsky, Ged Nugent, Kev Dunphy and Eammon Hughes amongst others.

It wasn’t long, however, before Clon got the score their endeavour deserved and fittingly it came via a combined front eight effort. The visiting pack caught and drove Munster style over the white wash with ease enabling Gallagher to touch down and open the flood gates in the process.

With a score cushion Clon became a lot more composed yet adventurous and they began threatening out wide. And after coming close on numerous occasions Ross Fitzgerald eventually got the score his and Clondalkin's all round play deserved.

The open side flanker pounced on a home error showing football skills worthy of a Balbriggan playing surface more akin to the Premier League than junior rugby, before gathering the ball and racing home virtually unopposed.

　 Not even wholesale changes could prevent the Clondalkin attacking tide and the next score came via more brilliant back row work.

Reformed winger Steven Kenny, who like his brother James has moved from back line to front line, chased down a kick, flattened the opposing full back and somehow managed to turn over the ball.

That in turn enabled Clon to get quick ball and move play to Matthew Brocklebank via the hands of out half and the impressive Gregg Dunne. All that was left for the fasted man in the Dublin west club to do was to fall over the line and Quinlan converted again to make it 29-6.

The scoring didn’t end there however as last season fourth team top scorer got in on the act. Eamon Hughes did what come natural him showing perfect timing to come from deep and sprint clear under the posts after a brilliant John Murphy off load

Added by admin September 6, 2010 (11:43PM)

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