Creggs RFC 29 – Sligo RFC 12
On Sunday morning last the Connacht A League clash between Creggs and Sligo served up a quality game of rugby helped by the magnificent sunny day that was too rarely experienced in the appropriate months of summer.
The local team were almost at full strength for the first time this season and started confidently with strong ball carrying from their big forwards. Somewhat against the run of play Sligo attacked from a defensive scrum running the ball wide and scoring a try in the corner to lead 5 nil. The Village team fought hard to get back into the game with scrum half Leigh Doyle marshalling his big pack well eventually resulting in Tom Farrell powering over from 5 metres out for a score converted by Mark Purcell for a 2 point lead. This proved to be the last score of the first half with the defences dominating the exchanges up to half time.
Sligo’s indiscipline was starting to cost them as the referee was punishing the away team for persistent infringements at the ruck. From an ensuing penalty a well worked forward drive saw Creggs Captain Farrell leading from the front and getting over again for his and Creggs second try to lead 12-5.
They was to be no way back for the visitors and the introductions of some strong substitutions for the villagers saw them pulling away with further tries from Jack Keegan and tight head prop Thomas O’ Brien. A rare second half visit to the Creggs 22 and laps in concentration saw Creggs knock on and from the resulting scrum Sligo scored under the posts for a 7 pointer. The best was saved till last and a flowing backs move from a turnover put Creggs new boy Richard King clear and his speed and balance brought no answers from the Sligo defence for the best score of the match and a skilfully landed conversion by Purcell for a winning margin of 29-12
Creggs Thomas O Brien,Tom Farrell, Eric O Doherty, Jack Tucker,Kaylem Holian, Rory Callaghan, John McDonnell, jack Keegan, Leigh Doyle, Mark Purcell, Sam O Sullivan,Jonathan Whyte,Richard King, Declan Connelly, Aaron Hannon, Evan Commiskey-Hoare, Jack Hanley, Micheal Beirne,Luke Divilly, Conor Murphy, Diarmuid Quinn , Ryan O Keeffe