J1B League Creggs RFC 2nds V Ballinrobe RFC
Sunday afternoon saw visitors Ballinrobe RFC visit Creggs. Ballinrobe having been relegated to 1B and Creggs being promoted from 1C this game was always going to prove difficult for the hosts. The game started with a Creggs kick off and the first 20 minutes was really tight, being played between both 22s. Mark Brandon had two huge relieving kicks downfield to touch gaining good territory. Mike Feeley was also playing a leading role making a number of breaks through the Ballinrobe defence. It took to the 28th minute before the on-form Brandon to kick a penalty from just inside the 10. Leading 3 nil, Ballinrobe got straight back into attack winning a penalty on the Creggs 10 from which their outhalf kicked 3 points. From the kick off Creggs won another penalty which Brandon slotted to push Creggs 6-3 ahead. With only minutes to half time Ballinrobe won a penalty from a Creggs scrum inside the 22 where the pack took it on in a maul scoring 7points to lead 10-6 at the break.
A quick start by Ballinrobe in the second half found them with 3 more points from two penalties pushing the lead to 13-6. The Creggs team seemed to energise with some huge forward carries from Ronan Cahill , Mike Feeley and Nato Kiripati who moved out to the back row with the introduction of Danny Arnold. The pack started driving the heavier Ballinrobe pack winning penalties. One of which was kicked into the 22 where Feeley took clean in the lineout, leading to a maul getting Eoghan Cahill in for 5. The score was now down to just two and Creggs were dominating in all areas. It looked like a win was very possible but unfortunately a yellow card to Ronan Dowd with only eight minutes left made the struggle harder. When from a cross field kick on the half way line for Ballinrobe, allowed their winger scope to run clear to the get 7 points. With only minutes now left and with 14 defending space was found to score another try for Ballinrobe to finish with a 25 -11 win. Players of note in the backline included Callum Fahey and Tommy Devine.
Photo compliments of Steve Fahey.