Creggs RFC 13 Galwegins RFC 3
Creggs RFC have qualified for the final of the U18.5 Division 1 Final after a hard fought win over Galwegians last Sunday morning in Creggs.
From the outset it was clear that Galwegians were going to bring use their physical game plan and try to upset the home side and this was evident from as early as the first five minutes when the away side were reduced to 14 men for a couple of high tackles and a yellow card was issued. Creggs were doing well in the opening exchanges and had some very good ball carries from Melvin Conteh, Rian Biesty and Ronan Cahill but the Galwegians defence was well up to the task and were very well drilled and managed to turn the ball over when Creggs got into the scoring zone. As the first half wore on it was the visitors who were actually gaining the upper hand and trying to run the ball through the backs whenever possible to beat Creggs outwide and actually took the lead just before half time, kicking a penalty from in front of the posts when Creggs had gone offisde at the ruck.
The second half saw a more determined and structured Creggs performance and straight from the Kick off Adam Finnerty produced a great tackle which set the tone for the rest of the half. Creggs set piece with David O Gorman and Brian Maloney was now functioning much better and behind the scrum Eoghan Coyle and Ronan Dowd were marshaling the troops much better than in the first half. For 10 minutes Creggs laid siege to the Wegians line but a couple of knock ons at inopportune times and then followed by a couple of times the home team were held up over the line, it looked like it could be one of those days until 20 minutes into the second half Creggs drew level from a penalty from Shane Purcell.
This seem to inspire the Creggs boys and confidence grew. They now were testing the Galwegians defence who were struggling with the ball carriers upfront like Dara Byrne and Danny Arnold and when Dowd put a kick deep into the 22, the Wegians defence hesitated and the follow up by Jason Hoare was good and the ball went to Cian Gately who pounced over the line which was converted by Purcell to stretch the lead to 10-3 with 7 minutes remaining. Creggs continued to attack and the final score came from the boot of Purcell who struck a long range penalty with 3 minutes remaining to secure the victory.
The U18.5 League final will take place on the weekend of Feb 12th, where the opposition will be Corinthians RFC of Galway, Day and tine to be confirmed.
