Clane RFC

By Terry Hennebry

Ashbourne were the visitors to Clane on Sunday last for the final round of first round games in the Leinster League. Clane, with confidence high following a good run of results, sat in 2nd place in the table and knew that anything less than a win would mean they would lose ground on the league leaders Longford. However, Ashbourne did not follow the script, and snatched a dramatic victory with a last gasp drop goal to leave Clane players and supporters alike in despair.

The home side started well playing into a stiff breeze, and took a deserved lead when following good work from the Clane pack, Alan O Neill found number 8 Brian Conroy who managed to squeeze over the line from 5 metres out. McEvoy was unlucky with the conversion but the home support now expected Clane to go through the gears. This was not the case however as Ashbourne gained a foothold in the game through their own determination and work rate and some very basic handling errors from Clane. By the half hour mark, Clane had given away 3 kickable penalties and Ashbourne scrumhalf Kennedy made no mistake with all three to give Ashbourne a comfortable lead as they headed towards the halftime break. Things got worse for Clane as, following an off the ball incident, Noel Casey was given a ten minute break in the sin bin, and then, as on the stroke of half time, Ashbourne won a clean lineout in the Clane 22, went through the phases and touched down in the corner for their first try of the game. The conversion was unsuccessful but Ashbourne took a 9 point lead into the break and the home side looked in real trouble.

Playing with 14 men for the first ten minutes of the half, Clane came flying out of the traps and won an early penalty on front of the posts which McEvoy slotted over to reduce arrears to 6. The next 20 minutes were spent in the Ashbourne half of the field where time and time again they searched for the try but handling errors and a huge defensive effort kept Clane at bay. The breakthrough finally came after the Clane pack drove over from a 5 metre scrum with Mick Holland getting the final touchdown. McEvoy added the extras from a tricky angle, and with 10 minutes remaining, Clane were leading by a point.

Successive handling errors from a nervy Clane side meant that Ashbourne finished the game attacking the hosts line. They got a penalty wide on the right with 2 minutes remaining which was just wide, The home support breathed a sigh of relief as it looked like Clane were going to hang on for an unlikely victory, however, as the ref called "last play", Ashbourne worked themselves into a position and their outhlaf's sweetly struck dropgoal sailed between the posts to break Clane hearts at the death.

This was an uncharacteristically error ridden performance from Clane, however credit must go to their promotion rivals Ashbourne, who's never say die attitude grabbed them the late win.

At the halfway point in the league, Clane now sit in 3rd place, 7 points off pace setters Longford and tied with promotion rivals Clondalkin. Ashbourne sit in 4th, 3 points behind

Clanes next game at home to Gorey takes place on Sunday, December 5th in Clane RFC at 2pm. Please come and support.