On Saturday the 26th the under-16 boys travelled to Wicklow with their sights set on stretching their lead at the top of their South East League group and securing a semi-final spot.
The sun was out again and the conditions were perfect for the task at hand, but with a number of key players missing on the day (including captain Hugh Sheriff) the whole squad was once again called upon to perform to their best in order to pull away from a quality Wicklow outfit.
Gorey received the kick-off and immediately set about gaining ground into the opposition half, but were repelled multiple times by a very tight and committed Wicklow defence during a tense and tightly contested opening few minutes. The first lineout of the game came early, which saw flanker Jimmy Collier hoisted, catch cleanly and set a great attacking platform inside the Wicklow half. Again, the Wicklow defence stood firm and they were awarded a penalty when Gorey were deemed to be holding on at the ruck. Now in possession and with confidence high after their defensive efforts, Wicklow went quickly, moved the ball wide and struck the first blow of the day when their winger crossed the line for the opening score after a very tense 11 minutes of play. (5-0)
Gorey pressed hard from an excellent restart and forced Wicklow to play out from deep inside their own half. The pressure paid off as the ball was turned over at the breakdown and Gorey launched an offensive against the hosts. The forwards carried hard for two phases until out-half Tyler Klopper demanded service and set his backline loose with a perfectly executed pre-planned move that saw the ball worked wide through the hands to winger Sam Gough, who streaked over the line after 13 minutes. (5-5)
The restart was expertly fielded and pressure applied on the host team again. The pack carried hard. Deft hands out of contact from tight-head Morgan Corbett sent second-row Anthony Golasko a further five metres before another slick pass sent flanker Jimmy Collier through the defensive line and he powered over the chalk. Iñigo added the conversion. (5-12)
Gorey caught and carried the restart again and showed textbook continuity, keeping the ball alive through multiple phases and running great support lines until second-row Anthony Golasko smashed over the line at the 22-minute mark, with scrum-half Ben Morris tagging on the extras. (5-19)
The restart was caught cleanly just inside the touchline by flanker Donnachadh Kearney, who carried back infield before showing some excellent footwork, sidestepping no fewer than three Wicklow defenders, selling the Wicklow winger a show-and-go before making a break for the line supported on his outside by Sam. With only the full-back left to beat, Donnachadh drew the defender, faked the pass to Sam again and found another gear, not needing to use the supporting winger, and sprinted over the line for a 65 meter score and rousing applause from the Gorey bench and supporters. Iñigo added the conversion. (5-26)
Wicklow dug in from the restart. They reclaimed possession from a spillage in the Gorey half and went on the attack. Their persistence paid off after winning clean ball from a lineout inside the Gorey half allowed them to set their backline in motion, culminating in their winger crossing over for the final converted score of the half. (12-26 HT)
The second half got underway with a great aerial restart from Iñigo, allowing the Gorey forwards plenty of time to apply maximum pressure on the Wicklow catcher. Wicklow retained possession, however, and proceeded to launch a roughly five-minute-long, 20 unbroken-phase attack. The Gorey boys stood fast in defence, and after a very gutsy man-and-ball tackle from out-half Tyler Klopper just 3 metres out from his own goal line, the advancing Wicklow player was held up, the referee called a maul, the Gorey pack put their shoulders to the wheel and a scrum was awarded in favour of Gorey after the much-needed momentum reversal. The ball was moved quickly from the scrum and moved through the backline and up the field where Gorey won a penalty for a high tackle. The penalty was taken quickly and advantage awarded to Gorey as Wicklow did not retreat the required 10 metres; the advantage, however, was not needed. Quick hands and some aggressive running lines saw the ball worked wide to full-back Adam Deacon, who showed exceptional pace and great evasion skills to cover the remaining metres before crossing the line. Ben Morris slotted the conversion. (12-33)
Gorey tails were up, the semi-final spot was within sight, fresh legs were introduced and the boys turned the screw. A bruising carry from No. 8 David Jiménez from the base of the scrum and quick thinking from the half-backs set centre Iñigo Cruz off on an angular run and away over the line. (12-38)
Wicklow fought back hard and threatened, but the Gorey defence proved too physical and too committed to be breached. Some super interplay and beautiful handling skills shown by hooker Andrew Jones landed the ball back in the hands of a rampaging Golasko, who just couldn’t be stopped as he smashed over for his second of the day. (12-43)
Flanker Kearney struck again when a textbook openside running line from the midfield coupled with a liberal sprinkling of hand-offs put him clean through for the final score of the day and cemented the team’s spot in a semi-final against Group B rivals later in the year.
Another full-throttle, full-squad effort paying dividends for the U16 boys as they remain on course to top their group and a spot in the final now up for grabs.
Photo credits: Sarah Klopper
The sun was out again and the conditions were perfect for the task at hand, but with a number of key players missing on the day (including captain Hugh Sheriff) the whole squad was once again called upon to perform to their best in order to pull away from a quality Wicklow outfit.
Gorey received the kick-off and immediately set about gaining ground into the opposition half, but were repelled multiple times by a very tight and committed Wicklow defence during a tense and tightly contested opening few minutes. The first lineout of the game came early, which saw flanker Jimmy Collier hoisted, catch cleanly and set a great attacking platform inside the Wicklow half. Again, the Wicklow defence stood firm and they were awarded a penalty when Gorey were deemed to be holding on at the ruck. Now in possession and with confidence high after their defensive efforts, Wicklow went quickly, moved the ball wide and struck the first blow of the day when their winger crossed the line for the opening score after a very tense 11 minutes of play. (5-0)
Gorey pressed hard from an excellent restart and forced Wicklow to play out from deep inside their own half. The pressure paid off as the ball was turned over at the breakdown and Gorey launched an offensive against the hosts. The forwards carried hard for two phases until out-half Tyler Klopper demanded service and set his backline loose with a perfectly executed pre-planned move that saw the ball worked wide through the hands to winger Sam Gough, who streaked over the line after 13 minutes. (5-5)
The restart was expertly fielded and pressure applied on the host team again. The pack carried hard. Deft hands out of contact from tight-head Morgan Corbett sent second-row Anthony Golasko a further five metres before another slick pass sent flanker Jimmy Collier through the defensive line and he powered over the chalk. Iñigo added the conversion. (5-12)
Gorey caught and carried the restart again and showed textbook continuity, keeping the ball alive through multiple phases and running great support lines until second-row Anthony Golasko smashed over the line at the 22-minute mark, with scrum-half Ben Morris tagging on the extras. (5-19)
The restart was caught cleanly just inside the touchline by flanker Donnachadh Kearney, who carried back infield before showing some excellent footwork, sidestepping no fewer than three Wicklow defenders, selling the Wicklow winger a show-and-go before making a break for the line supported on his outside by Sam. With only the full-back left to beat, Donnachadh drew the defender, faked the pass to Sam again and found another gear, not needing to use the supporting winger, and sprinted over the line for a 65 meter score and rousing applause from the Gorey bench and supporters. Iñigo added the conversion. (5-26)
Wicklow dug in from the restart. They reclaimed possession from a spillage in the Gorey half and went on the attack. Their persistence paid off after winning clean ball from a lineout inside the Gorey half allowed them to set their backline in motion, culminating in their winger crossing over for the final converted score of the half. (12-26 HT)
The second half got underway with a great aerial restart from Iñigo, allowing the Gorey forwards plenty of time to apply maximum pressure on the Wicklow catcher. Wicklow retained possession, however, and proceeded to launch a roughly five-minute-long, 20 unbroken-phase attack. The Gorey boys stood fast in defence, and after a very gutsy man-and-ball tackle from out-half Tyler Klopper just 3 metres out from his own goal line, the advancing Wicklow player was held up, the referee called a maul, the Gorey pack put their shoulders to the wheel and a scrum was awarded in favour of Gorey after the much-needed momentum reversal. The ball was moved quickly from the scrum and moved through the backline and up the field where Gorey won a penalty for a high tackle. The penalty was taken quickly and advantage awarded to Gorey as Wicklow did not retreat the required 10 metres; the advantage, however, was not needed. Quick hands and some aggressive running lines saw the ball worked wide to full-back Adam Deacon, who showed exceptional pace and great evasion skills to cover the remaining metres before crossing the line. Ben Morris slotted the conversion. (12-33)
Gorey tails were up, the semi-final spot was within sight, fresh legs were introduced and the boys turned the screw. A bruising carry from No. 8 David Jiménez from the base of the scrum and quick thinking from the half-backs set centre Iñigo Cruz off on an angular run and away over the line. (12-38)
Wicklow fought back hard and threatened, but the Gorey defence proved too physical and too committed to be breached. Some super interplay and beautiful handling skills shown by hooker Andrew Jones landed the ball back in the hands of a rampaging Golasko, who just couldn’t be stopped as he smashed over for his second of the day. (12-43)
Flanker Kearney struck again when a textbook openside running line from the midfield coupled with a liberal sprinkling of hand-offs put him clean through for the final score of the day and cemented the team’s spot in a semi-final against Group B rivals later in the year.
Another full-throttle, full-squad effort paying dividends for the U16 boys as they remain on course to top their group and a spot in the final now up for grabs.
Photo credits: Sarah Klopper
