Barnhall 5-17 Stillorgan
J3 League - Mar 9, 2008
Stillorgan travelled to Barnhall yesterday with a full squad in a must win clash to ensure a home semi final spot. The parish didnt disappoint. The game kicked off in a windy Barnhall at a frantic enough pace. Stillorgan put some good early pressure on Barnhall and were unlucky not to get an early try through Mike Mac on the wing who seemingly was just in touch - Bull Ill lend you my glasses for future !! Timmy had a chance of 2 long range penalties which were just off target but were difficult in the windy conditions. Then came the moment of genius from the quiet man from the Kingdom. Fitz gathered a ball on the right wing from a drop out - proceeded to take on the whole barnhall team on his own, chipped ahead and chased and beat their backs for pace to give us a early 5 nil lead.
Barnhall continued to come at us and were counterrucking all day but we never looked like coughing up a score. They did have a few penalty chances which they might have got had they a kicker. Fin was putting in some big hits in the centre and our back row were everywhere. We had the beating of the Barnhall backs out wide and mike mac did get in for a 2nd try under the posts which tim converted - 12 -0 at half time
Barnhall were always going to come back and put more pressure on us in the 2nd half. They eventually did get in for a try which one could argue was similar to Mikes disallowed one in the first half. 12 - 5 and the parish needed a score to finish the job. The pack mauled well all day. We called a 4 man option linout in the Barnhall half and eventually got over with Fitz touching down for his second try of the day. The game was safe at this stage but Barnhall never gave up and the parish tackled well to see the game out with liam fahey booting the ball into touch.
Great win and well deserved to all involved. It was great to have a squad out there and the guys that didnt come on were as much part of the win as anyone else. We will need a squad for every match from now on.
Positives
- The win - obviously !!
- Less chat back to the ref yesterday which was good
- Tackles and defense were excellent
- Linout worked well
Negatives - not too many !
- Bit frantic again at times - a little more patience at times may be no harm
- Rucking a small bit lax but in fairness Barnhall were strong in that area - I know I struggled to get to some rucks in the 1st half
- Doddsy made the point last night that we still havent really clicked 100% yet - hopefully that will come in time for thf semi final !! We are not far off it though
- Coppers last night - the turnout was poor - worth the €5 alone to see the Bull the two Rossys and Johnny Plunkett giving it welly on the dance floor
Match report by Richie McMahon