Glorious sunshine in Clonattin as we hosted Dundalk in a top of the table clash. The game lived up to expectations and delivered an intense, hard hitting encounter, played truly in the sprit rugby should, respect throughout .
Kicking off we played most of the 1st 5 in Dundalks 22 going close with Andrew and Darragh.
Despite our early scrum dominance, Dundalk turned on the pressure for the next 5 in our 22, a Charlie steal and a good kick chase tackle from Ben helping to keep them out.
Pressure on 16 mins finally paid off for Dundalks 12, chipping over and regathering to score. 0-5.
Going behind for the 1st time this season brought a big response from the team, ferocious tackling pressure resulting in a 10m penalty. The move worked well giving Wafer the space to bash over on 20mins. 5-5.
The 1st half finished with commitment from both sides making it a messy loose few minutes.
The 2nd half started the same with both teams fighting hard for everything. Dundalk pounced first again to score after 3 mins of lively if untidy play. 5-10.
The effort was taking its toll with plenty of sore and tired bodies. A 22 scrum gave Alex the good ball he needed to put in a clever kick finding grass, Harry somehow gathered the ball and just had the legs to score under the posts, adding the conversion. 12-10.
With about 8 mins left Thomas stole a lineout and got the ball to Sam who put in a lovely kick into their 22.
Again great pressure gave us an attacking 22 lineout, good play resulting in a 10 m penalty. Spotting Dundalk defending narrow, Noah relayed the changed call to the pack, flashing the ball wide through the backs who fixed the defence to make space for Ben to finish well. 17-10.
Dundalk kept coming hard at Gorey but the belief and effort the team displayed kept them out, notably a big try saving tackle by the ever aware and reliable Jack. From a lineout, Ronan stuck his left foot on the ball finding touch and full time.
As could be seen in the dugout full of tired red faced Gorey men after the game, it was a heck of a battle and no doubt our toughest game so far.
It was really pleasing the way the boys dealt with a very big, strong, physical Dundalk team obviously deserving their league position, and the challenge of going behind and having to grind out a hard win.
Everyone stood up today but a few honourable mentions..
Alex taking space and some great decisions.
Harry tackled well throughout and took his chance well.
Wafer and Darragh on both sides of the ball.
Ronan, hard honest work in defence and attack.
Ben really performed well on the wing.
Andrew and Noah had some great moments.
Man of the match goes to Sammy, intercept, kick and carries aside his tackle count and work rate was off the charts.
Both sides had big numbers, so a further 15 min friendly was agreed to give all game time.
Some highlights were ...
Some big tackles from Con.
Rossi had a couple and a nice turnover.
Finn took his try well and casually drop kicked the conversion.
Up next in the plan, is a Cup clash away to New Ross.
Kicking off we played most of the 1st 5 in Dundalks 22 going close with Andrew and Darragh.
Despite our early scrum dominance, Dundalk turned on the pressure for the next 5 in our 22, a Charlie steal and a good kick chase tackle from Ben helping to keep them out.
Pressure on 16 mins finally paid off for Dundalks 12, chipping over and regathering to score. 0-5.
Going behind for the 1st time this season brought a big response from the team, ferocious tackling pressure resulting in a 10m penalty. The move worked well giving Wafer the space to bash over on 20mins. 5-5.
The 1st half finished with commitment from both sides making it a messy loose few minutes.
The 2nd half started the same with both teams fighting hard for everything. Dundalk pounced first again to score after 3 mins of lively if untidy play. 5-10.
The effort was taking its toll with plenty of sore and tired bodies. A 22 scrum gave Alex the good ball he needed to put in a clever kick finding grass, Harry somehow gathered the ball and just had the legs to score under the posts, adding the conversion. 12-10.
With about 8 mins left Thomas stole a lineout and got the ball to Sam who put in a lovely kick into their 22.
Again great pressure gave us an attacking 22 lineout, good play resulting in a 10 m penalty. Spotting Dundalk defending narrow, Noah relayed the changed call to the pack, flashing the ball wide through the backs who fixed the defence to make space for Ben to finish well. 17-10.
Dundalk kept coming hard at Gorey but the belief and effort the team displayed kept them out, notably a big try saving tackle by the ever aware and reliable Jack. From a lineout, Ronan stuck his left foot on the ball finding touch and full time.
As could be seen in the dugout full of tired red faced Gorey men after the game, it was a heck of a battle and no doubt our toughest game so far.
It was really pleasing the way the boys dealt with a very big, strong, physical Dundalk team obviously deserving their league position, and the challenge of going behind and having to grind out a hard win.
Everyone stood up today but a few honourable mentions..
Alex taking space and some great decisions.
Harry tackled well throughout and took his chance well.
Wafer and Darragh on both sides of the ball.
Ronan, hard honest work in defence and attack.
Ben really performed well on the wing.
Andrew and Noah had some great moments.
Man of the match goes to Sammy, intercept, kick and carries aside his tackle count and work rate was off the charts.
Both sides had big numbers, so a further 15 min friendly was agreed to give all game time.
Some highlights were ...
Some big tackles from Con.
Rossi had a couple and a nice turnover.
Finn took his try well and casually drop kicked the conversion.
Up next in the plan, is a Cup clash away to New Ross.
