Clondalkin Seconds: Clon fail to Kill off Kenny

Clondalkin Seconds: Clon fail to Kill off Kenny

Jonny Stapleton

Clondalkin Second string produced a carbon copy of the first teams schizophrenic performance against Longford, throwing away a comfortable lead to eventually lose a top of the table clash they at one stage looked certain to win.

Ali Colliers charges went from scintillating in the opening 50 minutes to substandard and shocking for the remainder of the game, allowing their main rivals for the league crown to overturn a 17-3 deficit and register a bonus point victory in the proverbial 10 point tie.

The visitors literally stepped aside and let Kilkenny take victory and first spot in the league with a disastrous final 30 minutes.

The reverse, which was made more bitter by the manner in which it came, gave Clon taste of league defeat for the first time this season.

However despite the premier loss and rumours of in house fighting, Collier was upbeat when speaking to CRFC TV after the game.

“We are disappointed of course we are, but we have to forget about this and move on,” the captain said.

“We reached the half way mark and we are still very much in the race. We showed in the first half we are capable of beating our main rivals. If we played like we did in the first half we can beat anyone. All credit to Kilkenny for coming back. We face them in the last game of the season now and that could be very interesting.”

A victory on Sunday could have put Clon’s title fate well and truly in their own hands and they starting accordingly.

After trading early penalties with the hosts, who were a bonus point win away from winning Division 1 seconds league last term, Clon began to grow into the game.

Ben Woodhead-Foran began to control the pace of the game from 10. Paul Gifford belied his JSL style appearance and proved his stellar with a defensively solid display from six. A pack that was marshalled impressively by Mark Duggan also impressed.

Indeed, the front eight looked most likely to score and were unfortunate not to have registered five points from two well constructed mauls.

The pressure finally told but the score came out wide rather than up front. Matthew Brocklebank flying down the wing after a pass from Collier to touch down via a little side step, registering his sixth try in fives starts in the process.

If Clon’s opening score was down to some individual brilliance the second was down to some team genius work.

Strong carries from Maurice Featherstone, Ken McMahon and Gifford saw Clon earn territory before a lovely interchange between Duggan and Cashlin enabled the hooker to break over the gain line and break up the would be tackler. Quick ball then enabled McMahon to have a shot for the line and after he was held up Rob Dever wasn’t to be denied. The big lock, who carried ball well throughout, stretching over to register his first ever Clon try and make it 17-3 at the turn.

Worries inspired by premature half time bonus point talk were quickly quashed after the restart as Clon began to play the best rugby of what has been a great season.

One phase of play in which Brian Berry, James Kenny, Dever, Cashlin and McMahon were instrumental saw the visitors find their way from 22 to opposition five via 13 phases.

In fact during that phase the Gordon Park side crossed the home white wash, but were denied the try that would have wrapped up proceedings and went a long way to ensuring a league title.

And from the resulting scrum disaster struck. A knock on was hacked clear and Kilkenny broke the length of the field to score and make it 17-10. Even worse what should have been just a minor set back to a Clondalkin side completely in control proved a fatal blow.

The visitors completely capitulated after the score. The line out fell apart, tackles were missed and a rushed panic approach seemed to hamper every attack.

Even more disappointing for Clon was the fact, Ray Kelly and a few others aside, they seemed to lack the fight to retain their lead.

Kilkenny took full advantage and eventually stormed 24-17 in front. Things went from bad to worse in the last minute as the visitors forfeited their losing bonus point and handed the hosts a wining one when conceding a late try.

Added by admin December 1, 2010 (4:23PM)

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