No Stroll in the Sun for Colts
The weather was unseasonably sunny on Saturday afternoon last as the Claremorris Colts got their season back on track with a hard fought win over Loughrea in the Connacht Under 16 league.
Loughrea were hoping for a much-needed victory and they were full of endeavour during the early exchanges. Indeed it was the Galway men who had the scoreboard operator working first. After some excellent lineout play Loughrea managed to put a number of phases together before getting over in the corner, to make it 7-0 to the visitors. Claremorris were determined to get back to parity but try as they might that final pass would not stick and it was 7-0 to Loughrea at the half-time break.
The Colts team-talk clearly worked as they had their first try of the game within a minute of the restart. From the kick-off the Colts piled on the pressure and it was Liam Murphy who emerged from under a pile of bodies with the ball to claim the try.
Loughrea were determined to avoid defeat on their travels and they dominated the following 10 minutes which culminated in them touching down under the posts to extend their lead to 14-5. Claremorris desperately sought a way back into the contest and it was winger Jack Vahey who provided the much-needed spark. After winning a penalty close to the Loughrea line his quick thinking enabled Shane Gilbert to knock three men over on his way to touching down for the Colts. It was certainly game on now with the Colts needing a third try if victory was going to be theirs.
With their tails up Claremorris refused to step off the gas and during the dying embers of the game managed to claim the victory their performance deserved. The Colts were camped on the Loughrea line and after awarding a number of penalties to the hosts the referee was left with no choice but to award Claremorris a penalty try for persistent offending. Jack Vahey knocked over the conversion with virtually the last kick off the game as the Colts held on for victory. That man Vahey was one of the outstanding performers for Claremorris and made try-saving tackles on at least four occasions. He was ably assisted by centre Cormac Hanley and out-half Shane Ruane. One also has to mention Shane Gilbert who left men trailing in his wake right throughout the second half in what was a very impressive performance from the lads in red and white.
Team: L. Osborne, J. Vahey, C. Hanley, P. Breakell, D. Mellet, S. Ruane , S. Murphy(c), A. Ronayne, J.Cooley, Ja Ruane, D. O Brien, S. Walsh , L. Murphy, T. Browne, C. McTigue
Subs: M. Byrne, C. Lavery, J. Gallagher, E. Clarke, E. Slattery, C. Ryan, S. Gilbert, E Roe,