Clane RFC

This eagerly awaited clash took place on a perfect afternoon in Edenderry RFC.

Clane started out of the block in a hurry with their forwards feeding their three quarters on every opportunity. It seemed the Clane backs were going to rule the day showing superb levels of fitness, speed, ball handling and passing. It wasn't long therefore until Mick Holland burst over the line to score the first try of the match after some superb passing movements up the left wing involving Colm Fagan. The try was converted. 0-7 to Clane.

From the kick off Clane received and immediately punted the ball downfield again where the Edenderry fullback knocked on to conceded a scrum. In the scrum Edenderry conceded a penalty in a very kickable position and it looked like another 3 points was on the cards but the usually reliable Clane fly half narrowly missed.

This let off seemed to waken Edenderry up and with the home supporters cheering them on they drove down field. Unfortunately they conceded a silly penalty which was punished with a superb clearance for a line out inside the Edenderry 22. Clane lost their own put in and Edenderry drove down field using both their forwards and back to superb effect. However, the Clane defense proved as resolute as their attack and defended superbly. During one of the rucks Dave Keenan of Edenderry received a leg injury that held the game up for several minutes but thankfully he was able to resume.

By now Edenderry were matching fire with fire and despite several great breaks by both teams especially by Clanes number 13 neither were able to break through for a score. On one such occasion Clane were barely a meter short of the 'Derry line but were penalized for holding on.

During the last 15 minutes or so of the first half there was doubt that the Edenderry forwards were surprisingly getting the upper hand in the scrums and loose. This, despite Trojan work in the Clane forwards from TJ and his pack. It was apparent they were missing their captain Brian Conroy and the lack of ball supply to the Clane backs was depriving this class set of players from strutting their stuff.

As the home team continued to press the Clane defence their strong number 8 made a break for the line and was just again held up but was penalized for not releasing and Clane relieved the pressure.

It is worth noting that the referee had a busy afternoon in terms of penalties and both teams need to spend time on technical discipline in the loose and fixed scrums. With the way the game was going even though Clane missed another couple of scoring chances the Edenderry out half scored a difficult conversion for yet another penalty bringing the scores to 3-7. Almost immediately afterwards they were back down in the Clane 22 and this time Edenderry's big number 8 ripped possession of the ball and dive over for a superb solo try which was converted to leave the scores at 10-7 going in to half time.. Game on!

The second half started with the Clane forwards improved after some changes in personnel. It wasn't long before they forced Edenderry into a penalty to bring the scores level at 10-10. This stalemate was to remain for the rest of the second half even though Clane couldn't take advantage of Edenderry's Potterton being sin binned for repeated infringements. Both sides tried to break down the others defense and a combination of silly penalties or superb defending meant that neither team could make the break through. In the dying minutes of the game the speedy Colm Fagan made a thrilling solo sprint for the line but was caught just short of the line again. Final score 10-10.

Both teams will rue the chances lost especially Clane where a win today could have put into second place in the league.

Team: Niall Hughes, Gary Mullen, David Doran, Thomas John Ryan, Justin Monahan, Niall Brennan, Michael Holland, Fergal Corbett, Walther Nortje , Mark Coonan, Anthony Hennessy, Cormac Mc Evoy, Ronan Murphy, David Watkins, Gordon Kearney Reps: Sean Sullivan, Tony Blake, Noel Casey, Colum Fagan, Tony McLoughlan