Club Notes: Week Ending 16.03.14

This week’s club notes come from Bantry Bay and Waterford City rugby clubs.

Bantry Bay RFC

Courtesy of Denyse Scully, Club PRO

Mini Action: –

Our U8’s, U10’s, U11’s and U12 teams travelled to near neighbours Skibbereen RFC on Saturday morning last for a great morning of games and fun. Shortly after the games kicked out the weather improved and all teams played some fantastic rugby and showed off the skills they have been working hard on in training in recent weeks. We extend our thanks to Skibbereen RFC for their wonderful hospitality.

The itinerary for our Youths Trip to Swansea in Wales in April are being finalised and we are grateful to all the parents who are helping us fundraise and make the final preparations. It plans to be a great trip away.

U13 League Game: –

Bantry Bay RFC 7
Muskerry RFC 17

Our U13 team played their second league again on Sunday morning last away to Muskerry RFC. The team played well throughout but the game went away from them in the closing stages. The score line does not accurately reflect their performance and with more game experience will develop strongly.

PanMunster Semi Final: –

Bantry Bay RFC 0
Waterpark RFC 16

Bantry Bay RFC was defeated in their panmunster semi final on Sunday last away to Waterpark RFC on a score line of 0-16. This was big defeat for the team who had lost only one league game all year.

The game started at a frantic pace with Waterpark first on the score line with a penalty in front of the post. This galvanised their efforts and they came at Bantry with everything they had. Bantry Bay sustained wave and wave of attack but huge credit to the team their work rate was immense and they denied Waterpark every scoring chance. Bantry Bay settled into the final 15 minutes of this half. Bantry’s pack began to get some dominance especially at scrum time. Thomas O’ Donovan went down injured but recovered to see the half out but shortly before half time Bantry were penalised again and Waterpark went into at the break 0-6 in their favour.

As always in close games such as these the first score in the second half can be crucial and Bantry (now without Thomas O’Donovan replaced by Daniel Shannon) got good field position in the second half. They began to play the game out wide more with their backs gaining some great field position. They turned down a chance to kick at goals and went for the corner but some great defence work by Waterpark denied them. Bantry were not done and showed fantastic team spirit and unity to continue to attack. Tadgh McCarthy crossed the whitewash but to the huge disappointment of the visiting support the try was denied by the referee. The clock was now not in their favour and Waterpark seized the opportunity of a lapse in concentration from the Bantry defence and against the run of play scored and converted a late second half try. Waterpark continued their clinical display and finished the game with a drop goal just before the final whistle.

Best of luck to Waterpark RFC as they face local rivals Dungarvan RFC in the final. Bantry Bay can be very proud of their display in this game and throughout the campaign. They were unlucky not to score in the second half. The large travelling support was extremely proud to witness their skill, courage and team unity. The experience in this competition and the test of these big games and we are sure to see great successes for this team in the future.

Team: Patrick Casey, Tadgh McCarthy, Luke O’Donovan, Aidan O’Driscoll, Paddy O’ Callaghan, Adam Phillips, Fionn O’ Driscoll, Páidi McCarthy, Páidi O’ Sullivan, James Murphy, Owen Power, Tony Harrington, Philip O’Shea, Thomas O’Donovan, Ronan O’ Mahony, Shane Harrington, Josh Wycherley, Aidan O’Sullivan, James Lavin, Seán Downey, Jack O’Sullivan and Daniel Shannon.

Junior League Division 3: –

Abbeyfeale 30
Dunmanway/Bantry Bay 0

Our West Cork Harlequins team could not withstand the strength of the visiting team from Abbeyfeale chasing top of the table promotion. Their pack proved too strong and they ran out worthy winners.

Waterford City RFC

Courtesy of Damien Kennedy, Club PRO

Munster Junior League Division 2

Waterford City 13

Kinsale 19

City played their final League game against promotion chasing Kinsale last Sunday in Kilbarry, despite being safe City were not prepared to lose another home game this season. A win for Kinsale guaranteed them a place in Division 1 next season and they showed their intentions early with a sweeping move from their backs to score in the corner and lead 7-0. City came firing back and some good work from the forwards earned City 2 penalties which John Flynn converted to bring it back to 7-6 going into half time. The 2nd half started the same as the 1st and a loose kick from City allowed Kinsale to counter and put a kick in behind to force a lineout just 5 meters out and from there they found a way over to make it 12-06. The game began to loosen up and this suited Kinsale as on 60mins their 2nd centre cut through the City defense untouched and went under the posts to put them 19-06 up but this game was far from over. City were dominating in the scrum and the penalties were beginning to come as the Kinsale scrum buckled under the pressure and after constant infringements the ref had no option to send one of their players to the bin. City brought on fresh legs and these lads made the difference as Sean Stafford cut through the Kinsale defence and put the supporting Gary Keane under the posts for a great try to bring the score to 19-13. The remaining 10 mins were all City as another Stafford break from our 22 off loaded to Connor Power saw City go down the left and he moved the ball wide but hesitation from City inches from the line saw Kinsale make the cover tackle into touch. City pounded away at the Kinsale line for the remaining minutes but Kinsale held firm and ground out the win. Congratulations to them on their promotion to Division 1

J2 Cup V Clonmel

Waterford City 11

Clonmel 15

On Friday night our 2nds travelled to Clonmel in the opening round of the Junior 2 Munster cup. Based on previous results against Clonmel this season the lads knew this was a big test but every one of them to a man played their heart out. The game was back and forth from start to finish with Aaron Foskin giving a kicking masterclass at his old position of out half to put City deep into Clonmel territory . Paddy O Halloran crashed over for a try and Foskin kicked two penalties but it was not enough as Clonmel snuck it by 4 points, hard luck to the lads who could have won this one and showed a far improved workrate from last week.