Wizard of Oz

Article by Jonny Stapleton

Third Team Report

Clondalkin thirds gave Bective a Halloween scare in Glenamuck last Saturday afternoon, but the width of the post prevented the Gordon Park outfit from giving Australian prop Chris Gunning a winning send off in his last game for the club.

The home-side were expecting a land slide victory and had targeted a bonus point before half, but were instead haunted by a direct and determined Clon third string and lucky to come away with a draw.

A resilient Clon twice came from behind in what as fractious and somewhat ill tempered affair but despite dominating the latter exchanges couldn’t register the win they deserved.

Fittingly on Halloween weekend Clondalkin made a nightmare start. Bective’s first intention was to ship the ball wide and the visitors initially struggled.

Indeed last ditch defending by Eamon Hughes, Dave Moody, John Murphy and Wes McDonald, men more akin to registering rather than preventing score was all that kept the senior club at bay early on. But after constant wave of pressure the host eventually crashed over the line to take a deserved 5-0 lead.

Bective threatened to increase the advantage but paid full price for the over exuberance when returning battering ram Ronan Cooper shot out of the line and intercepted a pass.

The centre set off from his own five but couldn’t make it the full length of the long pitch, fortunately for the visitors speedster Hughes was on hand to take an off load.

The lethal winger was supported by rugby ball shadow Ross Fitzgerald, and when his dash for the line was held short he popped to the flanker who registered his fourth try of the season.

That score, a savage Mick Heeney hit and the introduction of back row menace Ray Kelly helped galvanise Clon and they began to dominate.

Simon Cumiskey, man of the match Hugh Curran and Luke ‘agro’ Sweetman ensured go forward Clon ball and managed to register some demoralising Bective hits.

But Clon’s Achilles heel struck once again and indiscipline ensured they fell behind rather than took the lead after their period of dominance.

Bective crossed the white wash for a second time and Clon went in trailing 10-5 at the turn round.

Clon impersonated their opponents first half start and began to dominate after the turn.

They enjoyed the lion share of possession and McDonald almost benefited nearly scoring out wide after Moody, Gallagher and Fitzgerald combined.

The score Clon deserved finally came with 20 minutes to go. It was made by the pack and finished off by the backs.

Wizard of Oz Chris Gunning, who returns home next week, Curran, Cumiskey and Kev Dunphy all went close before Sweetman decided to consult the back line. Player of the month McDonald benefited from some slick play and dove over in the corner for his first try of the season.

John Murphy saw his brilliant conversion attempt ping of the post leaving the scores 10-10 a piece with just minutes remaining.

The Gordon Park third string immediately went in search of the winning score and came close on three occasions. A brilliant Al Hickey pass almost sent Murphy scampering home before the referee pulled back Ben, who registered the tackle of the game late on, and Cumiskey for infringements as they raced home.

　 　

Added by admin November 3, 2010 (12:10AM)

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