Club Notes: Week Ending 24.11.13

This week’s club notes come from Cobh, Midleton and Waterford City Rugby clubs.

Click here for Cobh Pirates Club Notes

Click here for Midleton Club Notes

Click here for Waterford City Club Notes

Cobh Pirates RFC

Courtesy of Liz Cotter, Club PRO

Minis:

The minis played home and away to Midleton and great rugby was played throughout all the age grades.

U 14 away won against PBC final score 19 to 17

U 16 friendly at home against Charleville lost 32 -19 great game was played.

U 18 at home lost to Cork Con 26-19 Cobh had a lot of chances and played very well throughout the game well done to all the lads.

Cobh J2 v Dolphins

Cobh started strong with 3 tries in the first half from Danny Keating, Cian Gormally and one penalty try. 2 conversions and a penalty where kicked well by Ian Jones. Excellent display of rugby from the Pirates with free flowing attacking rugby giving then the 3 tries. The 2^nd half allowed the Dolphins into the game and Pirates where in deep defence. But food discipline and controlled play limited the opposition to one try. Final Score ending was 22-13.

A great display of rugby shown from Danny Keating ,Dave 'the bull' Mulcahyand man of the match Killian Barry.

Cobh J1 v Clonmel

Clonmel side coached by Irish Rugby Star Denis Leamy started the stronger side and kicked 3 unanswered penalties. After the break the visitors scored a try. Cobh let the comeback charge to late, scoring 2 tries in the last twenty minutes. Try scorers for Cobh where Greg Higgins and Alan Langford. Final Score ending was 12-14.

Ladies v St Senans

Unfortunately, they came out on the wrong side of a very close 12-6 scoreline. However, it was a great performance by all. Cobh Pirates came out strong in defence from the offset, throwing in big tackles, putting St Senans under pressure and breaking down their attacks. St Senans broke away with a try from their fullback in the corner, but were unable to convert. Cobh then responded with some superb play before half-time, and with subsequent penalties by St Senans players, Pirates fullback Eilish Walsh had the chance to put some points on the board. Cobh Pirates were up 6-5 going in to the second half, which saw the forwards step it up a notch and contest strongly at scrums and line-outs. St Senans had a number of penalties near the try-line, but Cobh Pirates defence was all stopping. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough for Cobh Pirates who could not get more points in the second half, and a try from St Senans wing in the last five minutes of the game sealed the deal. Woman of the match awarded to Eilish Walsh, for her quick-thinking, excellent ability in kicking for space, and getting us some points on the day!

Midleton RFC

Courtesy of:- Jason Power, Club PRO

Midleton 13 Cork Consitution 26

A lovely November day for a game of Rugby as Midleton 2nds host Cork Constitution. The score line does not really reflect the game that, despite an early lead by Con, was at one stage a one-point game that looked to be going Midleton's way!

The game gets underway and from the start Midleton are on the defensive holding out a fast Cork Con back line. Midleton give a penalty and Con kick to just outside the Midleton line. Midleton win the lineout and clear to just inside halfway. Its all Cork Con attacking and Midleton defending with just over 15 minutes now played. A few minutes later though Midleton knock on just inside the 22 and it's a scrum to Con. A quick movement off the back of the scrum sees a soft try under the posts; with the conversion it's Midleton 0 Cork Constitution 7.

From the restart Cork Con attack again driving Midleton back to their own 22. A scrum to Midleton and we try to mount an attack pushing up to the 10m, Con turnover and break through for a second try. Midleton 0, Cork Con 14.

At this point you would expect a rout on the cards; but that was far from the case.

At the restart a great kick sees a lineout just inside the Con 22. Midleton win the Con line out and mount an attack winning a scrum in front of the posts about 5m out. Midleton keep attacking and gather a poor Con clearance to Maul to the line for their first try of the afternoon. Mid 5 Con 14 with about 33 minutes played. From the restart Midleton attack again. This passage of play sees the Midleton game go from a defensive one to attacking and the reward is there with another Midleton try. The game goes to half-time with two tries apiece, Midleton's missed conversions the difference – Midleton 10 Cork Constitution 14.

The second half results with Midleton attacking again; eventually rewarded with a penalty that sees the score Midleton 13 Cork Con 14 with about 30 minutes left to play. Con gather themselves and start mounting another attack winning a penalty about 5 yards out that is kicked to the corner. Con win their lineout and go to the Maul; Midleton defend hard and hold Con out. Con win a penalty and tap-and-go however the ref calls it back and then they opt for the scrum.

Play is now down on the Midleton line – nail biting stuff as hit after hit goes in and Midleton refuse to give up. Cork Con change tactics and move the ball across the field and it looks like they are in for a third try but it's in touch. Midleton win their lineout clearing to 10m. Its hard going and bodies are getting tired but Midleton get a penalty and bring play back to halfway, another penalty and now we are down inside the Con 22. There is less than 10 minutes on the clock and Midleton are pushing for the try attacking hard. Then it looks like we are in, the cheers go up, but the Ref has spotted an infringement and it's a scrum to Cork Con. Utter disappointment and the next few minutes sees all the hard work undone as Con run in two easy tries that sees the final score of Midleton 13 Cork Constitution 26.

The Midleton men can hold their heads high, a great game with some brilliant defensive play. A victory seemed tantalisingly close but was not to be, well done Midleton for a great game and a final score line that is certainly not a reflection of how close the encounter really was.

Other notes: Midleton Minis hosted Cobh this weekend at Under 8, U10 and U12. While Cobh hosted our U7, U9, U11 and U13. A great day out in both clubs. Our U14 and U16 were successful in their endeavours however our U18 were unlucky losing by a point to Kinsale

Waterford City RFC

Courtesy of:- Damien Kennedy, Club PRO

Munster Junior League Division 2

Thriller in Kilbarry

Waterford City 31 Ennis 26

This was to be one of the most entertaining and memorable games seen in Kilbarry in a long time, but the start wasn't one that City would have wanted. 5mins in and an attack from City on the half way line saw the Ennis winger intercept the ball and score under the posts. On 10 mins Ennis had a lineout 10 metre's out and their forwards went over the line off a rolling maul to make it 12-0. On 30mins a cross field kick saw the Ennis winger claim the ball ,he seemed to be in touch but the Ennis linesman didn't raise his flag and he was allowed to score to make it 17-0 to Ennis. City were shell shocked and wondering what was going on and seemed to wake up putting the away side under pressure and force the penalty to make it 17-3 . Before half time both sides swapped penalties to leave it 20-6. Head coach Peter Jones didn't let his team panic and the message was simple, cut out the mistakes and increase the workrate. City came out in the 2^nd half with far more urgency behind them with captain Nicky Jacob running a perfect line to put Damien Kennedy free down the left and score a try to make it 20-11 on 45mins. Almost immediately City were back down in Ennis territory and a pass from Fintin Purcell put Darren Walsh in the corner to score a great team try which Aaron Foskin converted and now the score was 20-18 to Ennis but City were playing all the rugby . A superb break from Sean O Mahoney saw City deep into opposition territory and a penalty was forced which Aaron Foskin converted and now City were in the lead on 55mins 21-20. Ennis managed to steady the ship 5mins later and score a penalty to put them back ahead by 2 points but City were playing a high tempo now and a penalty on 65mins by Aaron Foskin again saw the score go to 24-23 in Waterford's favour. In the remaining 10mins the game became a hearts in the mouth battle with Ennis adding another penalty and they led 26-24. Time was running out for City and a moment of magic was needed and that's exactly what we got on 77 mins, Aaron Foskin showed superb handling skills to put a perfect pass out to winger Darren Walsh just inside the City half, his blistering pace left 2 defenders in his wake and put in an outstanding side step on the covering full back to score under the posts to put the home team and their support into a frenzy. The remaining minutes saw City defend for their lives and a knock on from Ennis saw the ref blow the final whistle and leave the score 31 – 26 to City. One hell of a comeback from the team who gave themselves a mountain to climb but heart and desire shone through and they showed their true talent to get a huge win. Hard luck to Ennis who played a great game and best of luck to them for the rest of the season. The next game for the lads is 2 weeks away to league leaders St. Senan's in Clare. Next Sunday our J2's are away to Clonmel in the J2 league.

Waterford City squad that recently played Castleisland RFC