DLSP 8 - 21 Stillorgan

J3 League - Nov 9th, 2008

This top of the table clash took place out in Kiltiernan between two teams renewing rivalry after Stillorgan suffered semi - final cup defeat last season and it didn\'t disappoint. With the weather looking like playing a big role in the game Stillorgan kicked off playing with the wind and showed there intent from very early on pinning DLSP into their own 22 for the opening minutes.

What looked like a physically bigger DLSP team appeared to be finding it difficult against a tenacious Stillorgan who piled the pressure on both the oppositions backs and forwards which forced an early penalty for not rolling away in the tackle (something they cynically continued but got away with) which Timmy knocked over for a 0 - 3 lead.

Stillorgans game plan was obvious with Shane O\'Brien constantly kicking to the corners forcing DLSP to run back, kicking high balls at there wing backs with our own back line forcing mistakes from them on numerous occasions and also kicking some penalties 50yards down the field for some fantastic field position.

On one such occasion Shane kicked the perfect penalty to the corner for a Stillorgan line out 5 metres out and with Ross Durnin\'s throwing hitting his man every time it was the perfect position for the team to push for a try. After Brian Shanahan took the lineout DLSP tried to pull the maul down Stillorgan held firm and did a few pick and goes which eventually resulted in Ross Durnin and Padraig Shanahan getting up fighting over who actually grounded the ball. Timmy came close with the conversion but was just wide of the upright - DLSP 0 Stillorgan 8.

DLSP did get some decent possession at this stage of the game but the Stillorgan defence was immense with Finn and Peter knocking anyone and everything that tried to get through the centre and the organisation the team showed without possession just shows that our defensive drills do work. After another penalty against DLSP Timmy pulled his shot on goal just wide again before slotting over a similar kick with 5 minutes to half time - DLSP 0 Stillorgan 11.

With Half time fast approaching and DLSP reaching the Stillorgan 22 for the first time we were hoping to hold onto our lead and it looked like we would when again our defence held strong but a harsh call against us for hands in the ruck resulted in an easy 3 points for DLSP and the half time whistle - DLSP 3 Stillorgan 11.

Half time talk was all positive as the only negative was the 3 points that we had given away. We had played all the good positive rugby and just asked for the players to give the same again and more to take us to the top of the table. At this stage Richie had to leave the fray to head to Dublin airport to catch a flight to Amsterdam for what he called a \'Business Trip\'!! In stepped Tomas for another 40min of rugby after playing a full 80min in the J4\'s win against Tallaght the day before.

We started as we had the previous half and on the front foot but soon found that DLSP were about to try the same tactics as we had successfully carried out in the first and they kicked for the corners. Defensively we had this covered all day with Keaven, Mark and especially Timmy cutting out any kicks for the corners and returning these with interest and we also followed up in numbers to again force errors from the DLSP back line.

Unfortunately DLSP did claim a 5 metre line out which similar to Stillorgan\'s in the first half resulted in a forward drive for the line and their last score of the game with the conversion drifting wide - DLSP 8 Stillorgan 11.

I can\'t explain the high standard of rugby both defensive and attacking that we took to DLSP in the last 35min only to say that as long as I have been with the club I don\'t think I have seen a better performance and this wasn\'t all heart it was a panel of players who all knew what they had to do, where they had to be and supported each other when needed.

We continued to pressure DLSP and now started to break through the centres and Peter Hynes made a great break through the middle off loaded before contact and unleashed Mr. Jones down the wing but a great try saving tackle by the DLSP full back could only stem the inevitable as we again continued to pressure and Peter again made a great break which looked like a certain try only for the ref to call a harsh forward pass although Heinzy made a shambles of a pass!!

It was from this constant pressure that we got another kickable penalty and the reliable boot of Timmy put it over the bar to give us a nervous looking cushion - DLSP 8 Stillorgan 14.

We didn\'t stop there and with DLSP constantly testing our back threes positioning and hands and getting no change it was from a Mark Hartnett up and under that a DLSP player dropped in an attempt to catch one of our players latched onto it and Heinzy slid over the line with the ball next to the post for the match winning score - DLSP 8 Stillorgan 21.

We spent the last 10 minutes in DLSP\'s half tackling everything that moved with our pack having ruled the DLSP pack for the entire game making it all look easy. It was an absolutely brilliant site to see A Stillorgan team so organised.

Positives:
The 15 on the pitch played as a team at all times
Line outs were brilliant (fair play to Rossy on his first league start for getting a 100% return)
Our defence was outstanding and knocked the wind out of DLSP\'s sails every time.
Our back line showed that its not just a pack that wins a tight game and now we have a team of rugby brains!!

Negatives:
Being a bit picky - we have to pull the maul down at source as this lead to DLSP\'s try.

Everyone involved from Niall and myself on the sidelines to the Stillorgan supporters who turned up would have to agree that it was one of the greatest team performances Stillorgan have ever had in terrible conditions and everyone involved should be very proud.

All my superlatives are now out of the way - so its time to start thinking about the next game and we now know that next week we are not up against the same Suttonian team as last year and everyone who missed seeing today\'s fantastic game will have yet another chance to see a top of the table clash next Sunday at 230pm in Bird Ave. A win next Sunday will put us out in front at the top of the table so lets put this game behind us and start looking forward.

Thanks again to all the guys who turned up as cover - without a panel of players we wouldn\'t have a team.

C\'est la vie.

Congrats to the J4 team on there win over a very big Tallaght team in atrocious conditions on Saturday - time to keep moving up the table from here.

See everyone on Tuesday night at 7.15pm

Regards

Match report by Daniel Shanahan