Seconds Just do it

Provisional Seconds Leinster League

Clondalkin 20

Mullingar 18

Clondalkin seconds stormed to the top of the league with a dramatic last gasp victory over Mullingar last Sunday but couldn’t even muster muted celebrations come fulltime.

Despite a third successive league win the Gordon Park side were bitterly disappointed with the nature of the victory.

The hosts needed a late Maurice Featherstone try and a missed Mullingar penalty to scrap a win their below par performance barely deserved.

Indeed if the visitors lethal kicker hadn’t been taken off to play for the first team he would have surely maintained his 100 percent record and converted a last minute penalty to kick Clon to defeat.

Clon’s first half display was more stop and go than the rain soaked opening day of the Ryder Cup and they played in fits and starts.

The hosts showed flashes of quality but allowed the visitors display their talents by taking the foot of the gas at times.

Mullingar’s kicker was literally tee total never missing when given a penalty chance and he opened the scoring early on. Clon’s response was impressive and they set about securing the games opening try.

The pack were dominant and the back line had a more fluid look with Ben Woodhead resolving the 10 issue.

Captain Ali Collier was direct and effective, whilst Lee Beresford impressed, particularly with out the ball registering the hit of the game, in his new central role.

But it was the pack that eventually secured the lead for the home side. The maul which worked brilliantly the week previous rumbled its way over the line giving Featherstone the chance to make it four tries in two games against the West Meath outfit.

Beresford failed to convert but did hit a penalty to extend the lead to eight.

After displaying good, Clon then produced the bad and the ugly. Some poor decision making gifted Mullingar territory before some misbehaving gifted the gifted opposition kicker a chance to kick his side back into the lead.

The hosts did ensure a deserved come the turn thanks to resident speedster Matthew Brocklebank. The winger gifted a clear run from 10 yards after a lovely draw and give by big lock Stephen Tyndall.

The call at half time was for more Mr Hyde and a lot less Mr Jekyll, but the home side were still more monster than educated doctor after the turn and lost the previously impressive and aptly named James ’Sherk’ Kenny to the bin.

Indeed rather than improve the worsened allowing Mullingar to kick themselves into the lead.

But when the chips were down Clon consulted their reliant pack. The reliable Cashlin found the stroing running McGuire in the line out and the rumble commenced and true to form the front eight crossed the whitewash allowing Featherstone to register his second five points and give Clon a two point lead with 3 minutes remaining.

There was still time for Clon to press the self destruct button but it malfunctioned as the visiting standing in kicker dragged his kick wide.

Added by admin October 7, 2010 (11:13AM)

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