Stillorgan 18-8 Naas
J3 League - Dec 2, 2007
Stillorgan took on a good Naas outfit in Bird Avenue yesterday in terrible conditions for flowing rugby. Naas looked keen and were all there at least an hour before kickoff. Stillorgan won the toss and decided to play into the wind and the hill in the first half and to absorb the pressure.
The Stillorgan side were slow off the blocks but the defense was good and to be fair the wind was terrible which made it very hard for the kickers. We absorbed some early Naas pressure well. Naas scored an early penalty to go 3 nil up. Naas continued to kick for the corner to take advantage of the wind and Stillorgan were under more pressure to get out of their half. Naas scored a try which they probably deserved given they were camped in our half for about 25 mins of the first half. We will play tough games like this again and the response from Stillorgan was good.
The pack took on the ball and made good yards up the pitch. Stillorgan were then awarded a penalty. Brian Shanahan took it quickly, made a good run and passed to the brother Danny on the wing - what the number 8 was doing out there no one will ever know. The try gave Stillorgan a lease of life and made the second half more manageable.
Stillorgan played to the elements in the second half. A few 4 man option balls off linouts worked well with good ground gained. The pack again took control with Doddsy getting over for a try which was an all round forward effort. This gave Stillorgan a 2 point lead which they never let go of.
Again Stillorgan were awarded a penalty and a criss cross move on Fitzy perfected on the training ground resulted in the big man from the Kingdom going over in the corner. Stillorgan kept the pressure on and forced another penalty which timmy slotted to give us the 2 score cushion. Maybe a bit more patience could have yielded another try with Alan Fortune finding himself in open space with ball in hand and not trusting his own speed and agility !!
Stillorgan saw out the match to win 18 8.
Positives
Another win
First time this season we went down early on and showed good character to come back and win
The pack were great overall
Lineouts went well in bad conditions
Squad - we were missing a few lads but the boys who slotted in did a great job and are now pushing for places. Everyone needs to be at training even if your hurt or at least let me know. No one is guaranteed a spot. Other lads came on and did well also
Things to work on
Maybe a bit more patience - we snatched at a few penalties.
Lets push on for next weekend lads - 6 out of 6 is the aim and a win against Clontarf at home is really on if we want it.
Ar son an pharóiste
Match report by Richard McMahon