Clondalkin 16 4th XV vs Stillorgan 3rd XV 11

By Jonny Stapleton

It was a case of threat not trick for Clondalkin in Gordon Park last Saturday afternoon as they secured the clubs first ever fourth team league win.

In Halloween horror like weather conditions-including hailstones and lighting- Clon literally fought their way to a deserved victory against previously undefeated table toppers Stilorgan, proving they are capable of challenging at J5 level in the process.

In a game were passion was more valuable than panache and fight more worthy than flair, Clon excelled in the grit stakes and held out for well deserved win.

“It was a great win all involved should be filled with pride. Conditions didn’t help create a beautiful game but we fought hardest and won. On a less blustery and dryer day we could have moved the ball more and registered more scores but we are delighted with the win. It’s the fourths first league win in only two attempts. We need to push on now train hard and we can do well in this league,” captain Jonathan Stapleton said after the game Clon went behind to a penalty early but began to dominate soon after.

An absolutely monster hit by Paddy Lawlor gave the visiting attack and early Halloween scare and changed the tide of the game. In fact Clon immediately went on the attack and levelled via an Andy Tyndall penalty. More decent and direct running by Lawlor, Dave Jebb, Neil O’Hara and the pack in general saw Clon take up residence in the Stilorgan 22.

Al Boland, returning from an eight month rugby sabbatical, then looked dead set to give the hosts the lead but knocked with the line at his mercy. Conor Maloney made the miss irrelevant however, when his dream from the night before came true and he powered over from five yards just moments latter. The controversial Tyndall managed what Kev Cullen would have loved him to do for the seconds the day prior and added the extras to make it 10-3 to the hosts. Poor conditions turned dismal moments latter and the game became scrappy and unstructured as a result.

Clondalkin’s exceptional defence lead by Lawlor and Joey Lovett-who showed little regard for his budding modeling career and put in heavy hits on a regular basis- ensured little joy for the visitors when they probed out wide. The likes of Ged Nugent, Jebb, Maloney and Graham Gallagher were immense around the fringes and in counter rucking but the fact Clon struggled with the ball prevented them from extending their advantage.

The sides then exchanged penalties before the visitors reclaimed the lead aided by some decent offloading and some Clondalkin missed tackles.

Sensing they were undeservedly behind Clon raised the tempo. The direct running of Bobby Smith along with a sensationally powerful run by John Mooney again ensured quality field position for the hosts.

Mooney’s bulldozing run particularly excited the sizeable crowd. The winger bounced off four would be tacklers. It was clear no defender was going to stop short his rhino like charge for the line, but fatigue eventually put paid to his try scoring attempt.

Clon eventually regained the lead when just short of half time they decided to test the visiting defence away from the fringes. It was Lovett who touched down benefiting from another Lalwor line break to race home just wide of the posts. Tyndall converted to make it 16-11 at the turn.

The Gordon Park side had to battle an adverse wind and a slight hill as well as the table toppers after the turn. However despite being poorer in possession it could be argued their second half display was more impressive than their first.

The next score was always going to be crucial and if Clon were not going to get it no one was. The host were immense in defence and were registering some demoralising hits. Sean Dunne in particular forced the crowd to wince and the opposition flanker to scream when he went full bodied into a hit.

Conditions ensured neither side could form a decent platform of attack. Smith looked most threatening for the hosts but the number eight’s surging runs lacked the support that would have ensured they set up trys. But it was clear scores were going to be hard to come by as a battle in the middle of the park played out.

Clondalkin were at times on the back foot but they never looked like conceding. Their pack was immense in everything but the lineout and they looked solid across the back line even when they made substitutions and gave a few debuts.

It became clear the hosts wanted it more and they fought throughout to ensure victory

Added by Murts November 5, 2009 (5:55PM)

This article hasn't been commented yet.

Have a comment? Please register