Skerries 12 - UCD 49
Many rugby column inches were written in September and October devoted to the whereabouts of the Irish maul, so blatantly absent in France. Thankfully, it was re-located safe and well in a grey and drizzly Holpatrick, home of Skerries, by the UCD J2 XV last weekend.
The J2's pack produced a steam rolling performance, that was the backbone of a solid 49 - 12 victory. UCD signalled their intent ten minutes in with the first of many mauls, this one a thirty yard grind up to the Skerries five yard line. On release of the ball, Andy Walsh put first centre Geoff Sheehan under the posts for a seven point return.
In the lead-up to half time, Skerries came back into the hunt with sustained pressure on the UCD line that yielded a try from a tap penalty. Going in 15-12 up at the break, UCD were well in the ascendancy but there was still very much a game to go and win. This they duly did, cutting loose as the game opened up in the final quarter. UCD scored seven tries in all, with the entire UCD 15 getting their hands on the ball in the closing stages.
Kurt Henry has submitted a formal request to Skerries RFC regarding the removal of the treadmill they have apparently installed on the near touchline. Kurt encountered the device following his break from a deft intercept in the third quarter. The entire J2 pack deserves a mention, not least Will Hutch for an excellent lineout performance, and a brace of tries. Geoff Sheehan caused Skerries all manner of problems in the centre and made heavy in-roads into the Skerries midfield all afternoon. Andy Walsh, making a welcome comeback and sporting the 10 jersey for the first time in a number of seasons, made numerous full and half breaks and kicked well from hand.
All in all an enjoyable day-trip to an inclement Skerries.
And one for the record books?
This week's win in Skerries follows our J2 XV beating Guinness by an emphatic 54-12 margin two weeks ago. This was another great team performance with the J2s playing a brand of running rugby that any Fijian would be proud of. Stand-out performance on that day was one by David Lennon that will no doubt have Peter Clarke delving into the club archives and record books. Playing in the centre, David scored an amazing five tries, that's right, just the five. David converted his last two, leaving the field with a personal tally of 29 points.
Next outing is a home game verses Malahide in Thornfield next weekend, where we are looking to build on the successes of the last two weeks. All support appreciated.
Rory Timlin - J2 Manager