The Claremorris RFC mini rugby season end in style as 45 players descended on the grounds of Tuam RFC to take on their Galway counterparts in the U10 and U12 age grades.

For the U12’s it was a historic day as they played their first ever game of 15 a side rugby on a full side pitch and the Claremorris lads took to it like ducks to water. The game was played over three twenty minutes spells. The Colts made a great start and were 5-0 up after Ciaran Hatcher touched down under the posts after great work by Sean Walsh, Alan O’Dea and David O’Connor. Ciaran also knocked over the conversion to give Claremorris a 7-0 lead.

Not to be outdone Tuam stormed back down the pitch and two quick fire tries had them 12-7 in front. As the first twenty minutes drew to a close a sublime drop-goal from Ciaran Hatcher had the Colts well in touch at 12-10. The second twenty was tough going for the Colts as Tuam ran in a number of tries to establish a 29-10 team. Tuam however did not have it all their own way as Claremorris wingers Harry Freney and Cian Goggins were putting in some outstanding tackles while Micheal McHale and Thomas Higgins were giving it their all in open play.

As the game entered the last twenty minutes the Claremorris lads gave it one final push led on by their excellent captain Harry Burke. They got their second try of the game through Takechi Kilkenny after some fine work by the forwards particularly William Staunton, Blaic Cleary, Michael Maloney and Iarla Jennings. Things got better for the Colts as try number three came along five minutes. After turning over the ball scrumhalf Conrad Dixon laid off to Micheal McNamara inside the Tuam 22’. John Sullivan then carried deep in Tuam territory before the ball found its way to Kyle Leonard who then popped it off to the oncoming Oisin O’Connor to crash over for a great team try. Kyle Leonard then stepped up and knocked over the resulting conversion. Tuam finished the game with a superb try from the last play of the game to win 36-22 in what was a hugely entertaining game.

Team: S. Walsh, H. Freney, D. O’Connor, H. Burke(C), C. Goggins, C. Hatcher, C. Dixon, B. Cleary, T. Kilkenny, J. Sullivan, I. Jennings, A. O’Dea, O. O’Connor, M. McNamara, M. McHale

Subs Used: T. Higgins, W. Staunton, M. Maloney K. Leonard

The U10’s were also in action as they finished their mini rugby season with an exhibition of rugby. The Colts played a number of games and there were was tries a plenty, with Meiheal Hett doing especially well in the games he played. The was also some excellent tackling on display from both sides with the Claremorris lads of Joe Gilmore and Dermot Cawley really giving it everything from first whistle to last.

All in all it was a great evening of rugby and fine way for Claremorris RFC to ends its mini rugby season.