Stillorgan 18 - 16 St. Marys College<br />
<br />
J5 League - 17 Oct 09<br />
<br />
Stillogan started of playing down the hill. We were slow to start off and<br />
there were a number of missed tackles. We gave Marys an early opportunity to<br />
score with a penalty after 2 minutes. Marys duly converted 0-3. We didn\\\'t<br />
realise at this stage that this would be frequent occurrence.<br />
<br />
We came into the game more as the half went on. Play went from 22 to 22 with<br />
both teams making mistakes. Then on 11 minutes our centres broke through the<br />
Mary\\\'s defence. We setup a maul and drove for about 10 meters for Fidel to<br />
score beside the posts. This was converted by Mark to leave it 7-3.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately we started giving away penalties which brought Marys right<br />
back into in. They scored on 30 and 33 minutes to leave the half time score<br />
7-9.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately the second half took off where the first ended. Mary\\\'s were<br />
given 3 easy penalties which they failed to convert. Hands in the ruck,<br />
crossing and high tackle. The score could have been 7-15 but we were lucky<br />
it was still 7-9. During this period we were reduced to 14.<br />
<br />
While down to 14 we got a penalty of our own and managed to convert it to<br />
lead 10-9. Another on 30 minutes we were 13-9 up.<br />
<br />
As the half wore on Mary\\\'s became more desperate. They started giving away<br />
penalties and got their own yellow card. <br />
<br />
We have to say that our defending at times was good. Forwards and especially<br />
backs. We held them up over the line on at least two and maybe three<br />
occasions.<br />
<br />
Then on 37 minutes after some good possession Norman went on a mazy run. The<br />
sideline held their collective breath as he broke tackles and carried the<br />
ball in one hand waving it about as if it were a shitty dripping nappy.<br />
Lucky for him he did score it beside the posts.<br />
<br />
Fleming did and only Fleming can. He put the kibosh on the conversion and it<br />
was missed. 18-9<br />
<br />
This spurred Mary\\\'s on and they camped on our line for the remainder of the<br />
game. They must have had two penalties during this phase and eventually<br />
crossed the line. The conversion marked the end of the game and the final<br />
score 18-16.<br />
<br />
Positives:<br />
<br />
This was a good performance and a win. Tackling improved and the backs got<br />
some good possession and moved the ball well. We showed that we can come<br />
back to win a match.<br />
<br />
Problems.<br />
<br />
Penalties. We gave away far too many penalties. If mary\\\'s had a kicker we<br />
would have lost this game. Some of the penalties were for really stupid<br />
thing. The other thing is it was the experienced guys who were giving them<br />
away.<br />
<br />
Loosing position in contact.<br />
<br />
All too often we won possession only to go into contact and have the ball<br />
taken off us. <br />
<br />
Lineout.<br />
<br />
We struggled here for most of the game. Mostly it\\\'s just a timing thing. <br />
<br />
Two of these things we can work on in training. The other is down to<br />
individuals thinking about their game, the team and stop acting the blx.<br />
<br />
Man of the Match.<br />
<br />
Another tough decision. Ross had another very good performance before going<br />
off injured. Mark\\\'s kicking was again very good. But I think the consensus<br />
is Norman had a very good game at full back and a uniquely taken try.<br />
<br />
No game next week but training again on Tuesday on Thursday. We will look to<br />
see if we will have a friendly over the bank holiday. So can everyone let<br />
Fidel know if they are available on Saturday or Sunday.<br />
<br />
Match Report by Gerard Cregan