Honours shared after hard fought game
24 November 2002
Stillorgan 13 - Suttonians 13
A pulsating draw was the outcome of this top of the table clash against Suttonians. Stillorgan again fought every yard in this nail biting encounter. Right from the start (the captain lost the toss), Suttonians came out all guns a blazing and were camped for much of the first 15 minutes on the Stillorgan line. Good defence and the rub of the green kept them out. Once the siege was lifted, Stilllorgan started their own drive up the pitch and fine work by forwards gave good ball out to the impressive running backs. Hops again got on the end of a training ground rehearsed move and this human cannonball forced himself over for a well taken try. This was duely converted by Alan. Suttonians responded quickly and got three points on the board. This was followed by a well taken try and conversion. It was nip and tuck to half time with the visiting side preserving their three point lead.
Stillorgan started the second half well and were rewarded with a penalty coming from good interchange between backs and forwards. This was converted by Alan. Again Suttonians reacted well and a poor refereeing decision gave them a penalty to go ahead. A deliberate knock on by our outhalf was the offence which was crap as he was actually trying to hold the ball but his talents don't stretch that far!!!
Again the home side raised the ante and a good charge down the pitch resulted in Suttonians conceding a penalty. Again up stood the talented outhalf to level the game. With ten minutes to go another marginal decision prevented Milky from scoring a winning try. A dubious offside decision as the referee didn't compensate for this wingers searing pace off the mark. Despite backs against the wall defending in the last five minutes, Stillorgan held on for a well deserved draw.