Club Notes: Week Ending 28.09.14

24th September 2014 By Munster Rugby

This week’s club notes come from Waterpark, Midleton and Richmond.

Click here for Midleton RFC

Click here for Richmond RFC

If you would like to see your club on the Munster Rugby website, please send on any club news, upcoming events, match reports or photos to seangeary@munsterrugby.ie

Waterpark RFC

Courtesy of:- David Bowe, Club PRO

Munster Under 18 Clubs: Ulster 6 – 34 Munster

Following last week's win against Connacht, Munster maintained their title challenge with a victory over Ulster in Ravenhill last Saturday. Waterpark's Robbie Walsh lined out at No 6 while Jordan O'Regan came on at half-time as scrum half.

Munster play Leinster in Ballinakill on Saturday with a 12.30pm kick-off, please come out a support this Munster side in what promises to be a very open game.

Under 18 Friendly: Clonmel 17- 48 Waterpark

Waterpark travelled to Clonmel last Sunday morning for their second run out of the season. The home side led 17- 5 at half-time as Waterpark made countless errors with handling mistakes to the fore.

In fact two tries came from such errors. The visitors score in the first half came from prop and captain Tom Swift, when he ran a great support line to take a pass from winger Rob O'Connor to cross for the try.

Waterpark improved after the break and scored another seven tries. With full back Alex Molloy accounting for three and one apiece for No 8 Jack Walsh, second row Jamie Flynn, centre Jamie Dodd and winger Stephen Breen. Molloy also kicked 4 conversions.
The Waterpark Under-18s in action

Under 16 Friendly: Dolphin 17- Waterpark 26

Waterpark travelled to Cork last Saturday morning for their third run out of the season with Dolphin providing the opposition.

In their toughest game to date, a late try from second row John Monaghan secured the win for the Ballinakill side. The other scorers for Waterpark were centre Glen Kavanagh, No 8 Alex Deegan and out half Nick O'Donoghue. While Kavanagh landed 3 conversions.

This weekend sees the start of the Munster Junior One league with Waterpark taking on Old Christians from Cork in Ballinakill at 2.30pm on Sunday.

Midleton RFC

Courtesy of:- Jason Boyle, Club PRO

Richmond 28-32 Midleton

It was a lovely day for a game of rugby in Limerick as Midleton make there way to Richmond RFC for the opening game in the UBL for 2014/15. A much changed side for Midleton up against Richmond in their back yard.

Richmond got play underway and not long into it they were gifted a scoring opportunity for a Midleton infringement that was easily put over to see Richmond in front by 3 points. Midleton however upped the intensity and from the restart piled on the pressure to be rewarded with a penalty of their own to see the scores tied at 3 all after about 5 minutes played.

Midleton kept on the pressure and were dominant in the scrum – it wasn't long before that dominance paid off with a push-over try that out-half Daly converted to see Midleton ahead by 7. Richmond came on with the counter attack and with sustained pressure gained another penalty opportunity that they converted into points.

Midleton continued to dominate play though and attack into the Richmond half, some fast work off the back of a lineout and a lovely dummy from Rob Smyth sees the scrum half dodge through a gap in the Richmond defence and its try number two for Midleton to see them edge further ahead with the conversion from the boot of Jade Cruickshank.

After about 30 minutes of play and it was Richmonds turn with a penalty opportunity that they decide to kick over the Midleton defensive line and touch down for their first try of the afternoon. They quickly followed up with another try and the home team can claim the last period of the first half.

With the second half underway its pressure from both sides however first blood going to Midleton with a penalty that Daly puts over. Richmond up their game through and are soon rewarded with their third try. With about 20 minutes to go the visitors, dominant in the beginning, now see themselves trailing by eight points.

However a dogged determination is evident and with every opportunity Midleton take it to Richmond. The reward soon comes and Jayde is in for a try in the corner. The conversion is wide and the gap is now down to 3. Again Midleton pile on the pressure and are back in the Richmond 22. It's a scrum to Midleton who are confident and can see a chance at victory.

Repeated infringements from Richmond so close to the line and the referee awarded a penalty try. This was the last score of the game, with the conversion making the score Richmond 28 – 32 Midleton.

A new team with a new determination, and with sights now set on our first home game of the season they will be looking to build on this hard fought success. Well done to the boys for a great start to the season. Our next game is on the 27^th at home to Sligo RFC so all are welcome to come out and support Midleton's Rugby Team!!!

Richmond RFC

Courtesy of:- Natalie McNamara, Club PRO

The last few months have been hectic around the club with the building of the new clubhouse and gym. The clubhouse is almost close to be complete with another few weeks work left. Thanks to everyone that has helped get the gym finished and volunteered with the building or decorating of the gym.

All in the club would like to wish St Patrick's GAA the best of luck this weekend in the County Semi-Final.

Thanks to everyone that helped with the club programme and especially to all the sponsors that advertised in the book for the season. This has been a huge success to the club, and is available at all home UBL games and pre-matches.

The New Mini Girls Division of the Club will be launching this Sunday the 28th of September in our grounds on the canal Bank. This Is open to all girls aged between 7-12 years to come down Give it a Try especially after the success of the ladies team in the world cup. Training is on from 10.30am to 12 every Sunday. Fun is guaranteed and no experience is necessary.

There will be members of the ladies team available on the day to chat with parents and kids. Our Ladies Team management will also be on hand to share their time to develop these stars of the future. If you have any questions or concern please come down on Sunday and chat with the Ladies team coaches and players.

Closing Date for membership for all players is the end of September, this is imperative that all players are paid up prior to this date. .

On Saturday we entertained Midleton in our first UBL game and were disappointed to end up losing 32-28 with Midleton being rewarded a penalty try with 10 minutes to go to win the game. Conditions on the day were perfect, with Brian Mullins opened the scoring after two minutes with a penalty but Midleton bounced right back to level the game. Midleton continued to pile on the pressure at the scrum and scored the first try, converted to take a 10-3 advantage.

Mullins kicked a second pen to close the gap for us, 10-6 with 25 mins gone but Midleton had started stronger and took the opportunity to score their second converted try with a break from their second row Lehane, 6-17. Just before half-time we got into our stride and Mullins saw the opening for a cross field kick, taken by Brian Collins and he did well on the wing to score. We the momentum with us, Midleton had a number of pen against them and 2 players sent to the bin. We saw the opportunity to take the scrum, and Stephen Collins drove over the line on his debut for the senior squad (pictured below). Half time score was 18-17 to us.

The second half was much the same with both teams taking all the chances to score, Midleton took a 2 point lead with a pen but it was Brian Collins who for the second time in the game crossed the line and Stephen clancy stepped up and kicked the conversion, 25-20. Clancy was called into action again ten minutes later with a penalty to open the gap to 8 points.

Midleton pushed us, and scored their 3^rd try. We made a number of poor mistakes and the pen count started to creep up with the ref deciding it was our turn to send 2 players to the bin. Midleton continued to push and another offside the ref went under the post for a pen try and converted to give Midleton the game. We need to move on from the disappointment from last weekend and travel to DLSP next weekend for our second game. Thanks to Peter Harty for the snaps of the game – all are on Facebook and Twitter. We had 7 new players involved in the Squad on Saturday, Well done to Brian Collins, Stephen Murphy, Dean O'Halloran, Stephen Collins, Andrew Gardiner, Ben Drew and Brian Danagher.

The U15s were held to a draw on Sunday morning against Thomond. Score line was 10-10 and it was a great performance by all players.

Weekend Fixtures:
Saturday the 27^th of September
DLSP v Richmond, UBL, 2.30pm, Dublin – Anyone that wants travel to the game via bus, can you please get in contact ASAP to book as places are limited.

Sunday the 28^th of September
Young Munster v Richmond, MSSL, 2.30pm, Tom Clifford Park