RCSI 3-13 Stillorgan
J3 League - Oct 14, 2007
There were perfect conditions for the 3.00pm kick off out in the RCSI sports grounds in Santry yesterday. We had a playing squad of 21 people who were all down early and on the field with plenty of time. The team was supported by about the same number of Stillorgan legionnaires on the side lines. The travelling support played their part, motivating the away side with some choice roars while keeping the referee as honest as possible with some critical commentary on his decision making. The travelling supports largest contribution would have to be the effect they had on the opposition. The opposition full back seemed to be unnerved by the large travelling support's presence in the second half, dropping 3 garryowens in succession.
The match was a stop start affair for most of the first half both sides kicked a lot with Stillorgan looking the more dangerous with ball in hand. It was obvious early on that RCSI would be very competitive in the set pieces, with a particularly effective defensive lineout that had Stillorgan in bother all through the game. With a tall lean second row jumper and some reactive lifters they contested all full lineouts and when Stillorgan reverted to a 3 man lineout they still managed to disrupt. As a result of the pressure Stillorgan lost some ball to opposition catches and crooked throw ins.
They were also competitive in the scrums causing Stillorgan some discomfort early on. RCSI were first to get on the score sheet with a penalty in front of the posts. The penalty was given away for dropping a maul. In general Stillorgan gave a very disciplined performance, this been one of the few occasions where the referee justifiably penalised Stillorgan for foul play. All other penalties conceded seem to be less clear cut from the sidelines. RCSI's most prominent patch succeeded the penalty with some forays into the Stillorgan 22. However the most prominent RCSI attacking move of the game resulted in 3 or 4 rucks close to the Stillorgan line before some sterling work on the floor resulted in Stillorgan turning the ball over. Pat Fitz put in a smart clearing kick down the field which Keaven followed. Keaven hurled down the field after the ball, putting the scramble RCSI defence under pressure. This was the last time Stillorgan's try line was under any real threat. From then on Stillorgan went through the gears with Danny Shane Gar and Padraig starting to get on the ball and breach the RCSI defence. There were one or two occasions Stillorgan were one pass from scoring but knock-ons were hurting us. After another blitz into the RCSI half Stillorgan were awarded a scrum on the left hand side of the pitch. From the scrum Stillorgan put the ball through the hands attacking down the right. The ball was recycled from a ruck before it was flashed across to the left. The RCSI line was stretched and Mark H did the honours crashing over to the left side of the goal posts. A toughish conversion was not converted. The first half ended soon after. RCSI 3 Stillorgan 5
As the second half bore on Stillorgan became increasingly comfortable out on the pitch. Strong defence in the midfield had effectively neutered RCSI's attack. Stillorgan started to put RCSI's lineout under pressure with dodsy getting his paw on a lot of their ball. Most impressive of all was the manner in which the Stillorgan scrum started to turn the screw on the RCSI scrum. This allowed the Stillorgan back row creep onto their opposition, while providing the RCSI scrum half with bad ball. This led to some thunderous hits from Shane on the opposition scrum half and fly half. A lot of the credit must go to the tight five, with Johnny Belton and the Reverend (Nigel Bramley to the heathens) worthy of particular praise.
Stillorgan dominated the second half. We manufactured a number of penalty chances, which were unconverted. Stillorgan finally got the score that they deserved half way through the second half. Similar to the first try, it came from a break down the field that was first moved through the hands to the right before been switched back across to the left where Nigel "Brian Habana" Bramley was lurking to finish from ten yards out. Ten yards out for a prop is like a winger finishing from the half way line, so Nigel looked particularly pleased with himself. The try went unconverted.
Stillorgan were awarded a penalty ten minutes later which was converted. This effectively ended the match as RCSI looked to have run out of ideas on how to breach the Stillorgan defence while Stillorgan were lording it up in the loose with back row hitting hard and midfield defence still looking solid. The game ended RCSI 3 Stillorgan 13
Overall a good display from Stillorgan. Defence was good. The attacking play was good, maybe forcing the pass at times leading to a few knock-ons. Scrum got better as the match went on. Kicking out of hand was controlled. The lineout gives us something to work on. Well Done to all involved.
Trinity at home next week.
Match report by Ross Durnin