Wanderers 8 - 23 Stillorgan
J2 League - 10 Oct 09
On Saturday last Stillorgan took to the field on Merrion Rd aiming to continue their fine start to the season. The conditions were perfect for rugby and it was clear that the game would have a quick tempo to it. The team were aware of how tough winning is in this division following the game last week and were focused on putting right some negatitives from last week and record another victory.
The game started with Wanderers kicking off. The ball was well gathered and cleared. A messy start allowed Wanderers the best part of position with their first centre being used to set the ball up in the centre of the field. Stillorgan managed to stem the initial tide and forced some turn over\'s. As the game wore on Wanderers had a lineout inside their half. From the resulting maul Michael MacMahon managed to disrupt the scrum half forcing a turn over with resulted in try for Stillorgan scored by Mark Harnett. This was dually converted by Timmy Twomey, Stillorgan making every scoring opportunity count! It was identified early in pre-season that in this higher division every time the side got the opportunity to score they had to take it. this has come to pass and with two fortuitous scores early in both games Stillorgan are certainly converting opportunities to points.
With the score at 0-7 Stillorgan continued to soke up Wanderers pressure making them work for every yard. When the chance came Stillorgan were ready to pounce with good ground gained from Keavan Jones allowed the side to get up to the Wanderers line. Once in this position Eoin O\'Driscoll struck to score his first try of the season and create a 0-12 lead for the visitors. Stillorgan were now looking in control scoring from several breaks which were appearing in the Wanderers defence. However with a lead gained the team lost focus and allowed Wanderers to come back into the game. Conceding some soft penalties meant that the score was quickly reduced to 3-12. Another penalty for obstruction was given away, as Stillorgan set up for the expected lineout Wanderers kicked cross field and earned a scrum 5 metre out. The number 8 broke and crashed over the line to reduced what was once a healthy lead to a mere 4 points and looking shaky, 8-12.
The team had to wake up and fast. Some kicks into the Wanderers territory were cleared before a lineout was forced by Keavan Jones chasing a kick and tackling the Wanderers winger into touch on the 22. The pack decided to take on their opposite numbers and took the lineout into a maul. It start to drive towards the Wanderers line, at first it looked as if the maul would be brought down or would be stopped but excellent forward control forced the pack over and Pádraig Shanahan claimed the try that really an entire 8 effort. The score was left 8-17. As half time approached Stillorgan put more pressure on the Wanderers line and managed to scrape a drop goal from Shane O\'Brien. The half-time score was 8-12 and the Stillorgan were now chasing a 4 try bonus point.
The side continued the pressure into the second half and were not allowing wanderers any chance of scoring. Stillorgan were pressing hard for a bonus point try and almost got over the line from another excellently executed maul. Keavan Jones almost crashed over also but was just held up. Frustration was beginning to get hold of the side as their efforts were continuously repelled. Possible some poor decision making and poor execution of scoring situation allowed Wanderers off the hook. The bonus point was not be gotten and a penalty from Timmy Twomey scored mid way through the half would be the only score of the half. 8-23 the game ended. Stillorgan were disappointed to loose out on a potential bonus point but recognised that in this higher league they would have to improve decision making. Bonus points will not be picked up as cheaply as they were last season. With two from two at the start of league Stillorgan RFC are definitely not out of their depth and sit as the only undefeated side in the league.
Positives:
Another win
Excellent forward work throughout
Solid defensive work
Negatitives:
Poor decision making at times
Indiscipline at time might have cost more points against the team
Match Report by Shane O\'Brien