21.09.2013 1st XV v Terenure (H)

St. Marys V Terenure

Leinster Senior League

A huge crowd of over 500 packed into Templeville Road to see the battle of the parishes. The visitors and old foes Terenure have been in great form of late and have won all their matches. Marys have matched them and today was a top of the table clash with both sides on 13 points. So a lot on the line with the winner take all and local pride at stake.

Marys kicked off with a nice breeze behind them being played in tropical conditions. After some early scrum pressure, Marys were awarded a penalty on the half way. New arrival, second row Daragh Frawley was just wide with his penalty effort. Nure kicked downfield and Gavin Dunne replied by pinning them back into the corner. Gav then had a bad miss on seven mins, surprising given his excellent kicking record. He quickly made amends and slotted a much harder effort three mins later.

Terenure responded with some good pressure and their number 8 butchered an overlap and the ball was turned over. However, Terenure were back in the game a few mins later with a penalty of their own. Rob Hudson almost broke out of defence but knocked on trying to get the ball away. Nure missed another penalty and Marys had awinger Ryan O Loughlin sin binned for a tackle in the air. A bit unlucky as the Terenure player had jumped to take a pass.

Terenure continued to press and full back Steve Toal Lennon made a great break up the middle but Marys were penalised for not releasing. Terenure continued to press and were awarded another penalty on 36 mins for not releasing the tackler. The penalty was converted again by Willie Staunton to leave the score 3-9 to Terenure. Marys responded with a penalty from Gavin Dunne on half time to leave the score 6-9.

Terenure playing with the wind in the second half pressed hard and scored a fortuitous try and a penalty early on to the leave the score 6-19. Marys pressed for a try but just couldn’t put it together. Nure hacked through and hooker Dylan Fawsitt beat the Terenure to recover the ball over the line, but the ref adjudged it incorrectly as being carried over the line. Marys defence was good and we slowly worked our way up the pitch.

Terenure added on another penalty. Marys used the rotating subs with Richie and Barry swopping every ten mins as were Brian McGovern and Arthur Lyons. Steve Toal Lennon finished off a sweeping move to score a lovely try which was converted by Gavin Dunne. The score was now 13-22 and Marys were pressing.

Some lovely pick and drives brought Marys onto the Nure line. Sustained pressure from Marys earned them a penalty on the line. Marys opted for the scrum which was dominant all day, Nure wheeled and Marys picked. Some great forward play resulted in a try for Ciaran Ruddock which was converted by Gavin Dunne from an awkward angle. Game on and the score was now 20-22 with 8 mins to go.

Marys tried to break out of defence but Nure turned it over. Two missed drop goal were a let off for Marys. Terenure killed time and Marys butchered a turnover and Nure re-gained possession. The penalty arrived for Terenure (High penalty count against Marys today) and from the missed penalty Marys volleyed it while over the line but the ball was collected by a player in front of the kicker. Penalty to Terenure which they converted. Score was now 20-25. Marys tried to comeback but couldn’t find the try they needed.

Terenure deserved their win today and Marys will have to improve their execution. Next up is the AIL at home against Young Munster next Saturday at 2:30pm.

Keith McCarthy

Scorers:

Tries - Steve Toal-Lennon & Ciaran Ruddock

Conv – Gavin Dunne (2)

Pen – Gavin Dunne (2)

Line Up

15 Steve Toal-Lennon

14 Chris Lilly

13 Marcus O'Driscoll

12 Robbie Hudson

11 Ryan O'Loughlin

10 Gavin Dunne

9 Matt D'Arcy

8 Mark Fallon

7 Gareth Austen

6 Richard Sweeney

5 Ciaran Ruddock

4 Daragh Frawley

3 Brian McGovern

2 Dylan Fawsitt

1 Colm McMahon

Subs:

16 Rory O'Donovan

17 Arthur Lyons

18 Barry O'Flanagan

19 Conor Donohoe

20 Ian O'Neill