Saturday 6/12, we were on the road early for the long trip to Longford for the last game in the grading phase of the Leinster League aiming to make it 7 from 7.
Recent heavy rain meant it was going to be more of a forwards game in the heavy, slippery conditions.
Longford had some particularly strong players, and put up a spirited performance throughout, especially tough and fast at ruck time, with our boys meeting the challenge well.
We started strong, with pressure on the kickoff, Jamie at 7 pouncing to tidy up a loose ball. A couple of well worked carries from the pack and Eoin smashed over to claim our 1st, on 3 mins with Alex converting.
7-0.
A great penalty kick from Alex gave us a lineout on the 5. The next few phases saw Ronan and Ben go close with great rucking and carries on display.
Conditions caused a few missed opportunities as the last pass frustratingly refused to stick. A lovely touch to touch phase of play full of carries and quickly recycled ball, was rewarded with a well taken try from Andrew, in from the wing.
Half time...12-0.
Gorey brought the same pressure from the restart, stopping Longfords big runners, playing mostly deep in Longford territory. Eagle eye Charlie saw the smallest of gaps and crashed over from short range after 5 mins, Alex converting.
19-0.
The next few minutes were dominated by great carries, offloads, tip-on passing and rucking gaining ground, conditions upsetting the last pass a few times with the line in sight.
With about 7 mins remaining, a quickly taken penalty cleverly switched to Wafer and he was in for another try.
24-0.
Longford, to their credit, kept probing hard, scuppered twice by the fresh legs of Cayden pestering the 10 and claiming a dangerous loose ball.
They crossed the whitewash but were successfully held up by great Gorey defence. A goal line drop out mistake resulted in a scrum on the 5 for Longford and they finally burst through for a well deserved converted try.
Full-time Gorey 24 -Longford 7.
A great performance throughout the team with pleasing improvement in many aspects of the game, notably dealing with strong opposition who rucked hard and fast and difficult conditions in hand and under foot.
Man of the match this week goes to Hugh, for a massive work rate ...dominant in attack and defence, solid all game, even finding a few nice little passes.
Next up ..weather permitting.. our South East Semi against New Ross
Recent heavy rain meant it was going to be more of a forwards game in the heavy, slippery conditions.
Longford had some particularly strong players, and put up a spirited performance throughout, especially tough and fast at ruck time, with our boys meeting the challenge well.
We started strong, with pressure on the kickoff, Jamie at 7 pouncing to tidy up a loose ball. A couple of well worked carries from the pack and Eoin smashed over to claim our 1st, on 3 mins with Alex converting.
7-0.
A great penalty kick from Alex gave us a lineout on the 5. The next few phases saw Ronan and Ben go close with great rucking and carries on display.
Conditions caused a few missed opportunities as the last pass frustratingly refused to stick. A lovely touch to touch phase of play full of carries and quickly recycled ball, was rewarded with a well taken try from Andrew, in from the wing.
Half time...12-0.
Gorey brought the same pressure from the restart, stopping Longfords big runners, playing mostly deep in Longford territory. Eagle eye Charlie saw the smallest of gaps and crashed over from short range after 5 mins, Alex converting.
19-0.
The next few minutes were dominated by great carries, offloads, tip-on passing and rucking gaining ground, conditions upsetting the last pass a few times with the line in sight.
With about 7 mins remaining, a quickly taken penalty cleverly switched to Wafer and he was in for another try.
24-0.
Longford, to their credit, kept probing hard, scuppered twice by the fresh legs of Cayden pestering the 10 and claiming a dangerous loose ball.
They crossed the whitewash but were successfully held up by great Gorey defence. A goal line drop out mistake resulted in a scrum on the 5 for Longford and they finally burst through for a well deserved converted try.
Full-time Gorey 24 -Longford 7.
A great performance throughout the team with pleasing improvement in many aspects of the game, notably dealing with strong opposition who rucked hard and fast and difficult conditions in hand and under foot.
Man of the match this week goes to Hugh, for a massive work rate ...dominant in attack and defence, solid all game, even finding a few nice little passes.
Next up ..weather permitting.. our South East Semi against New Ross
