u13s continue their winning ways.... Match report 20.12.14 Under 13 Highfield v Cobh Pirates Pirates under 13’s finished off the calendar year in great style with a 24-0 win over Highfield in a 1.00 o’clock kick-off at Woodleigh Park on Saturday. Pirates were made to work hard for their four tries, as a spirited Highfield found it difficult to convert their possession into scores. In sharp contrast to the previous week in Douglas (when going on a magical mystery tour had delayed their arrival), Pirates arrived at Highfield well over an hour before kick –off, as management miscalculated the travel time. As a result, an impromptu practice game in the Highfield car park resulted in flanker David Meade suffering a leg injury that prevented his participation in the game and the loss of 2 rugby balls. Coach Gerry O’Driscoll’s first aid skills were put to the test as he tried valiantly to patch up the flanker. Unfortunately, Meade did not make it through the tough fitness test laid out by Head Coach Ray Duignam before the pre-match warm up. Despite the setback, Pirates started brightly as Highfield kicked off to the Southern end on the main pitch at Highfield headquarters. Watched by an enthusiastic bunch of spectators decked out in seasonal costumes, second row Jack O’Sullivan received the kick –off and set up a fine maul, ably supported by his second row colleague Evan Hamilton, which heralded a long period of Pirates possession. Duignam’s maul and ruck drills were put to good use as front rowers Chris McDonnell, Tadgh O’Connell and Oisin Doherty piled into the opposition. Quick ball was the order of the day as scrum half Josh Banim fed his backs and forwards with precision passing. Pirates made their way into the Highfield 22, after strong power plays by captain PJ Cronin, Jack Gilmartin and Conor Boyd. The breakdown was fiercely contested as Highfield managed to slow down the ruck ball. Finally, Banim spotted his opportunity, as he cleverly drew the Highfield cover after a solid Pirate’s scrum on the opposition 22. Cian Ahern (nephew of John formerly of Norwood Park and J1 and sometimes J2 dummy half), quickly found Ceilim Cole, who started at inside centre for the first time. Cole wasted no time in transferring quickly to his centre partner Edwin Egogba, playing at outside centre. Egogba took the pass on the arc and rounded his opponent before dotting down under the posts. Ahern added the conversion. 0-7 to Pirates. Fullback Kieran Devlin Buckley received Highfield’s restart on his 22. He quickly sought support from his supporting wingers Alex O’Connell and Calum Cullinane –Sowter who took play to halfway. Captain and open side flanker Cronin was first to the breakdown, as Banim attached the pillars. Mc Donnell cleaned out with precision as Banim provided the long body at the ruck. Boyd slotted into the scrum half position and fed O’Sullivan who hungrily grabbed the ball and set up another phase inside the red zone. Hooker O’Connell made more ground and was ably supported by tight head Doherty, Hamilton and finally Mc Donnell who was on fire. Banim, back in the action, found Ahern who heard Cole’s call on his inside. Cole, who must have been studying Gordon Darcy videos all week, danced his way past weak shoulders and beautifully offloaded to the rampaging Cronin who took his opportunity and gratefully touched down wide on the right of the posts. Devlin Buckley was short with the difficult conversion. 0-12 to Pirates after a great team try. Coach Duignam cleverly refreshed his team as Luke O’Callaghan, John Breen and Cian Tobin entered the fray. O’Callaghan made huge yardage after clever passes from Ahern as Pirates made further progress on the blind side. Breen was hungry for action as Tobin was his usual calm self in defence. Pirates finished the half attacking the Highfield 22 when fine defence by the opposition prevented further scores. First aider and folk singer Gerry O’Driscoll patched up the wounded at half time as Duignam imparted his wisdom. Duignam called for greater accuracy and spacial awareness for the second period as the thirsty troops took their refreshments. Devlin Buckley took the restart to the CUH end and was obliged with a good chase from his pack. However, Highfield had learned from the first half and retained possession far better than before. Pirates incurred the wrath of the man in the middle as they conceded a number of penalties to allow Highfield territorial advantage. The set pieces were going Pirates way as perfect throwing at the lineout from replacement hooker Rob O’Driscoll found O’Sullivan at the lineout. The scrum was rock solid as Tadgh O’Connell showed his versatility by slipping into the lock position. Pirates defence was tested as Highfield came at them in droves. Jack Gilmartin at number 8 was putting in a great shift as he tackled and organised the defence. Egogba provided the release valve from Highfield pressure as he cleverly tackled, regained his feet and stole a turnover as Highfield applied pressure in the Pirates 22.Egogba powered his way beyond half way before the referee spotted a knock on as the scramble defence caught up with him. O’Driscoll struck against the head in the following scrum. Gilmartin pounced on the quick feed and touched down in the corner with several defenders checking the washing instructions on his jersey. 0-17 to Pirates as the conversion proved too difficult for Ahern. Highfield came back at Pirates for the remainder of the half as play was centred between the ten metre lines. The game was a ding dong affair as every ball was contested. Both sides gave it their all. Pirates, with perfect chop tackling from O’Sullivan, Cronin, Ahern, Egogba and the ever alert Cole, made it impossible for their opponents to get in behind the defence. Doherty, Mc Donnell, O’Driscoll and O’Connell continued to work feverishly at the breakdown as Breen and Boyd made the hard yards. Cullinane- Sowter, Alex O’Connell, Luke O’Callaghan and Tobin matched their opponents and refused to yield. Banim and Ahern ran the show from half back as they waited patiently for an opportunity. With 2.23 minutes remaining the half backs finally got a further chance. Highfield feverishly attacked the Pirates 22 when Cronin again played a captain’s role. His offensive tackle brought the Highfield number eight to ground. Devlin Buckley performed the jackal and stole possession. Banim found Cole who expertly found Tobin who spotted O’Callaghan in support. Cronin provided the grunt on half way as the break out stalled. Mc Donnell gave it one last effort as he barged his way over the ten metre line. Doherty and O’Driscoll supported their front row colleague. Boyd, Breen and Gilmartin added their weight to the move. Devlin Buckley somehow emerged from the ruck breakdown and handed to Banim. Banim delivered to the supporting Ahern who involved Cole who released Egogba to score under the sticks. Cullinane- Sowter coolly slotted over the conversion. 0-24 to Pirates. Highfield restarted but were unable to breach the Pirates defence before the final whistle blew. Coach Duignam was happy with the performance as defence coach Niall Ahern beamed with delight as his defenders had managed to keep a clean sheet. First aider and singer O’Driscoll provided the Christmas carols for the journey home. Next up training on Tuesday the 30th of December at 12.00. Match day squad; Chris Mc Donnell, Oisin Doherty, Conor Boyd, Rob O’Driscoll, Tadgh O’Connell, Jack O’Sullivan, Evan Hamilton, John Breen, David Meade, PJ Cronin, Jack Gilmartin , Josh Banim, Cian Ahern, Edwin Egogba, Ceilim Cole, Luke O’Callaghan, Kieran Devlin Buckley, Calum Cullinane –Sowter, Cian Tobin, Alex OCallaghan. Unavailable owing to illness and injury; Padraig Allen, Darragh McCarthy and Charlie Kelleher.
Posted on: Mon, 22 Dec 2014 11:11:33 +0000