Seconds bring it together

Provisional Seconds League

Clane 14

Clondalkin 28

Article by Jonny Stapleton

Last gasp specialist Paddy Lawlor struck again in Clane last Sunday morning this time registering the try that sealed a successive bonus point win for Clondalkin.

The full back, who converted a last second kick to secure Speirs Cup victory for the fourths last term, has impressed on his graduation to second team rugby. And he got on the end of a superb back line move at the death of a one sided league tie to capture a bonus point that initially looked like eluding the visitors.

Granted Lawlor’s league effort doesn’t yet hold as much significance as his final kick. But considering the second string were seriously depleted and forced to make wholesale changes, such a result is a massive boost. Indeed it might prove vital at the end of the year for a team that lost out on the title by a single bonus point last season.

Despite serious readjustments and literally facing an uphill struggle on the sloped home pitch Clon settled into the tie relatively quickly and were on the attack early on. However indiscipline saw them gift their opponents free passage out of numerous pressure situations.

The visiting pack was dominating every fact of front play particularly excelling at line out and maul time and the catch and drive seemed to be Clon’s most potent weapon. It nearly enabled man of the match contender Darragh Ward open the scoring but his break after Dave Gilmore’s impressive take and drive was just held short

. It wasn’t long till the pacey scrum half got beyond the white wash, however again benefiting again from the maul to race in under the posts.

Clon looked in complete control and were on the attack seconds latter but moved rapidly from the opposition line to their own line within a matter of seconds after they conceded three quick fire penalties.

And they paid the ultimate price for their rugby indiscretions when Clane took full advantage of filed position gifted to them by the visitors to level proceedings.

Leigh Beresford, who filled in admirably at centre, restore the Gordon Park sides lead with a penalty soon after before Clon added another seven points to their advantage. Again the pack were the catalyst’s and the backs the benefactors. Conor Caslin, who along with Dave Gilmore and James Kenny was chief ball carrier on the day, hooked against the head enabling Clon to clear their lines. Bren Ward proceeded to steal the line out and the Clon maul marched into enemy lines. The ball eventually found its way to Dave ‘Dream Boat’ Behan via Ali Collier and the stand in centre, who is to trys what Robbie Fowler is to goals and Ashley Cole is to women, sailed over to make it two tries in two games this season.

Clon looked well on their way to a bonus point and could have registered a third before the turn when Ward and Carl Horan combined beautifully down the blind only for the scrum halfs hands to let him down at the last moment.

Clon did find themselves under more pressure after the change of ends. But the likes of Bren Ward, Ken McMahon, Ciaran Cullen, Collier, Mc Auley and Paul Gifford Junior registered galvanising hits when they were needed enabling the Gordon Park side to maintain their advantage.

New winger Ben Woodhead then benefited from some slight Cullen hands to race over in the corner and put the result beyond doubt.

Clane did set up a tense finale with a late try but Lawlor benefited from some lovely Behan and Beresford passing to finish off another impressive win.

Added by admin September 30, 2010 (10:47PM)

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