Lansdowne 6 - 3 Stillorgan<br />
<br />
J4 League -  07 Nov 09<br />
<br />
A well organised and motivated J4 squad took to the field, in Ballycorus<br />
Road, in good conditions save for a strong breeze blowing across the pitch.<br />
The warmup was competitive and meant that guys were switched on from the<br />
start.  The forwards, being the teacher\'s pets they are, got in some extra<br />
study prior to the warmup in the form of lineout and back-row moves which<br />
paid off as we were dominant in these areas all day.  Thanks to head fluffer<br />
Bryn, and Niall as always, for getting the lads up for it in the warmup.<br />
<br />
The tone was set from the first whistle with Kieran Hannon letting the<br />
opposition know he was in hunt-mode.  The tackle started somewhere around<br />
the 10\'s anlkes and unfortunately rode up to be, somewhat harshly, judged as<br />
a high tackle.  No matter, we were clearing our lines well with Mark \'The<br />
Mule\' Watters giving us 60 yards and field position at every time of<br />
asking.  Some of the lineouts and back-row moves practiced earlier were<br />
paying off with good ground being made up the right off Sean & Colm<br />
O\'Driscoll only for the captain to be bundled into touch 10 yards from the<br />
line on one such move.<br />
<br />
Field position, territory and good Stillorgan pressure on the opposition<br />
were rewarded with three penalty shots in the first half, none of which were<br />
easy due to the strong wind.  Garrett and Mark missed one apiece before Mark<br />
slotted one over to open his scoring account for the J4s.  Lansdowne won a<br />
penalty on one of only two or three forays into our half in the first<br />
period.  Half time score 3-3.<br />
<br />
The second half saw us play into the strong and cross-field breeze which was<br />
going to make kicking all the more difficult.  None the less, Mark\'s kicking<br />
from hand had their back three considering a change of sport with dropped<br />
balls and good touch-finders keeping us in their half.  Again, good forward<br />
pressure was rewarded with four second-half penalties from wide on the<br />
left.  Mark and Garrett both having a go but to no avail.  With the last of<br />
the four penalties, which was in the least wide position, the captain called<br />
for the lineout which was done for not-straight (the wind again playing its<br />
part) and the pressure was eased on Lansdowne.<br />
<br />
A number of back moves with forwards following in behind kept the ball in<br />
their half but the line-break was not to come.  On the only occasion<br />
Lansdowne entered our half in the second period our scramble defense was<br />
pinged for \'in from the side\'.  35 metres out and 4 minutes left on the<br />
clock their kicker made no mistake to put them 6-3 up.  The cheers on their<br />
sideline proving that they were feeling lucky to be in the winning<br />
position.  The heads didn\'t drop though.  Numerous well-placed kicks from<br />
Conor (in at full back with Colm Conway moved to 12) and Mark put us back<br />
into attacking positions.  At the death we were awarded a penalty 5 metres<br />
out which we tapped and drove twice before losing possession forward.  This<br />
was to be the last act of the game.  Final score 6-3.<br />
<br />
Positives:<br />
<br />
Good preparation again this week and this led to a good start (not 20<br />
minutes to get into the game).<br />
Great contributions from some of the newer lads to J4 level and will only<br />
improve over time.<br />
Good communication and work rate from the team in defense - Lansdowne didn\'t<br />
get any change from the forward exchanges or around rucks.<br />
Noticeable squad effort from all involved and we dealt with the positional<br />
switches well.<br />
Good discipline - we kept the ref on our side.<br />
<br />
Negatives:<br />
<br />
We didn\'t get the win - but this will come.<br />
<br />
For the Parish<br />
<br />
Report by David Stronge<br />