Clane RFC

After the disappointment of Knowing they should have done better last week against Edenderry, Clane were taking no chances today. While recognising that this was an under strength Wexford Wanderers side they took this opportunity to rest one or two key players but still fielded a strong team, showing the depth in the panel.

From the kick off Clane ran at Wexford and even after the first scrum a darting break from Clane’s three quarters resulted in the first penalty of the game which Luke McCormack who was given his chance with the first team this week, coolly slotted over. 3-0 after only 5 minutes! This pattern was repeated almost immediately from Wexfords kick off when Clane again ran with speed at the visitors and this resulted in yet another penalty. A further 10 meters was added when one of the Wexford team said something to the referee. This was something that would reoccur during the match. McCormack’s kick brought Clane back into the Wexford 22. Wexford defended their line well and as Clane went wide from the line out they were forced into touch. The impressive Wexford number 10 kicked one of many huge clearances bring play way down into Clane’s danger zone. A simple handling error by Clane lead to a panic in defense which resulted in a penalty to Wexford. Unfortunately this opportunity to draw level was not taken and it stayed 3-0.

After that close call Clane again drove and ran down field with great shows of skill and determination especially from 2 players who were drafted into the first team for the this fixture, Number 5 Mick Downey and 19 year old centre Tom Barren who surely is a find for this club. Luke McCormack again kicked a precision line ball from a penalty award and from the ensuing lineout Dave Watkins crashed through for a superb try to make the score 8-0. McCormack missed the extra points as the ball just clipped off the outside of the upright.

Even though Wexford had an under strength team it wasn’t showing and immediately set off into Clane’s territory where they were awarded a penalty which they duly converted to bring the score to 8-3 after 25 minutes.

The game was hotting up now and Clane again released their backs with some thrilling running play before forcing yet another penalty in front of the posts which McCormack converted with ease. 11-3 to the home side.

Again the lads from Wexford proved they were not just here for show and drove into Clane’s 22 where an uncharacteristic handling error led to Wexfords stand in Captain, Doyle powering over for a deserved try. The conversion was missed and scores stood at 11-8 which was a fair reflection of the match after 30 minutes.

After the restart Clane advanced but Wexford’s number 10 again launched a superb kick into enemy territory. This time his kick was well read and Clane returned the compliment with a cleverly placed kick down field.

At this stage the Wexford pack were causing some problems for the home team so regular prop Dave Doran was brought on to try and steady the scrum.

The effect was almost immediate; with the forwards now setting a better platform from which to release their backs; Dave Watkins made one of his trade mark breaks through the middle and Wexford had to concede a penalty at the break down. McCormack again kicked a neat touch to inside the visitors 22. From the line out the Clane pack gathered and after a great drive the ball was popped to Ronan Murphy who made a quick break to score a superb team try. McCormack added the points and with 35 minutes gone Clane were leading by 18-8.

From the kick off Wexford were awarded a scrum but such was the effect of Doran since he had come on that they were unable to control their own put in and eventually Clane managed to turn it around for a home side put in. Wexford were now defending valiantly and waiting for the half time whistle which the match referee blew exactly on 40 minutes.

The second half stated where the first ended with Clane driving into the visitors and releasing the backs at every opportunity. Once such sortie saw the forwards quickly behind the backs at the break down where Dave Doran again was in the thick of things showing a neat pair of hands before setting up and from the ruck Mick Holland, Clane’s number 8 made a break for the line which Wexford just about managed to keep out but by now the writing was on the wall.

Piling on the pressure Clane ran it wide again and were very lucky that an intercept attempt was knocked on.

Wexford again rallied themselves and with one of their best moves of the match took a rolling maul the best part of 30 meters before forcing a penalty which their number 9 converted to bring the score to 18-11. Immediately after this on exactly 15 minutes Clane again cleverly substituted bringing on McEvoy and Hughes for Sullivan and McLoughlin. The fresh legs paid dividends; a series of breaks towards the Wexford line culminated with Mick Holland scoring a great individual try in the corner. McCormack narrowly missed this side line kick but the score was now 23-11 and Wexford were looking tired.

Scenting a bonus point Clane didn’t let up on the pressure; but a number of times Wexfords really impressive number 1 single handedly relieved pressure showing an incredible touch of pace for such a big lad. There was an unfortunate “Hand Bags” incident involving two of the best players on the pitch, Doran for Clane and Doyle for Wexford but when Doyle was yellow carded he showed dissent to the referee who had no choice but to change the colour of the card to Red and Wexford were down to 14 men.

Try as they might the Wexford forwards, deprived of Doyle’s weight and movement, were no match for the home pack and 5 minutes later after a superbly controlled scrum and drive, Holland crashed over for his second try and secured the cherished bonus point to make the score 28-11.McCormack surprisingly missed the conversion.

Almost from the kick off McEvoy gathered and ran 50 meters before brilliantly passing inside to Tony Blake to score yet another try in the corner. The outhalf again missed his kick which at least saved some of the embarrassment for Wexford as the score began to mount.

5 minutes later Clane were over the line again. This time another superb team effort allowed Tony Watkins to dive in at the corner. This time McCormack kicked beautifully from the touchline to make it 40-11 with 10 minutes to go. Clane, relentless in this mood brought on some more changes resting the impressive Dave Doran. Fergal Corbett came on also at this stage.

Clane began to throw the ball around cleverly and nearly came unstuck when a short inside pass gave Wexford a rare glimpse of possession. But with the pressure being exerted it was only a matter of time before Clane, through Cormac McEvoy, crossed the line again and with McCormack adding the extra points it was now 47-11. The final whistle must have been a blessed relief to the visitors.

While the numbers in the score reflect a well known fragrance, this victory puts the Kildare side within 1 point of the league leaders and the sweet smell of success.