GOREY RFC U15s vs ATHY RFC
 
Sat 6th Oct '12
 
With the wounds of last week's severe mauling at the hands of a classy Wicklow side just beginning to heal, the men of the Gorey U15 rugby squad once again took to the field. This time it was the opening match in the South Leinster League and it was played in the pristine show grounds of Athy RFC.

From his opening brief to the Gorey management of Brian Willoughby, James Tomkins and Ivan Kelly and their counterparts from Athy, Brian Tobin and John Tracey, the match referee, Andre Hillebrand, left no one in any doubt about who was in charge. 

Gorey had drilled and rehearsed their men in running lines, handling & taking the game out wide on the training fields of Clonattin in preparation for this contest and now it was up to Capt Mark Hoare to see the tactics put into practice. In the opening minutes he led a right flanking attack for 30meters before being taken down by four defenders but was well supported by Dale Rothwell. 

The first scrum of the game came in the 6th minute and was won by Athy but a knock on gave away possession. A tap n'go by Gorey was slotted to the forwards and on out to full back Reece Hughes who ducked and dived but couldn't gain meterage. Eventually doubling back on himself, he ran into trouble and was forced down but quick recycling by Gorey saw the ball in the hands of Hoare who let out a roar as he smashed his way through a shocked Athy defence for the opening try on 10 minutes. Fly half Cian Hadden failed to convert as was the case all afternoon.

It didn't take Athy long to respond. Winning the ball from the restart they took play to the Gorey 10m line and created an overlap that was exploited by Athy Capt, Lee Hendley who was over in the 14th minute to level the scores. Both captains showed great leadership.

The tempo began to rise and it was Gorey that continued to launch wave after of wave of savage attacks into Athy territory. A high kick from Hadden forced Athy to drop the ball and the subsequent scrum, won by Gorey saw No9 Seamus Tomkins release his back line. The eel like ability of No.15 Reece Hughes to evade capture brought the play to the Athy 5m line. The defence, facing disaster, held tight.

Hoare took it on and burst in. He advanced to within two meters. No way through. The crowd roared encouragement. Daniel Sawyer won the ruck and went wide. Great hands from Martin & Jamie Doyle, no relation, sent Cian Hadden sprinting for the corner flag. Just rewards for tremendous effort. Try Gorey. Score doubled.

From the restart, open side flanker Chris Bolger and the No. 5 Lock Dale Rothwell began to make an impression. Combining well they stopped numerous Athy moves dead in their tracks.  A man new to the game, playing outside centre, Jamie Doyle, put in some fantastic tackles and an unexpected steal and sent Hughes flying off. Gorey, who failed to release on the ground gave Athy the option and they kicked for touch. This temporary lull in the battle gave the referee a chance to call up both managers and captains. Gorey's fly half was consistently offside and was in danger of leaving the field.

A stolen lineout by Gorey saw blind side flanker, No. 6 James Stone make 10 meters. Scrappy defence from Athy resulted in Gorey's momentum gaining. Quick hands out wide from Doyle, Sawyer and Hughes released Bolger who was driven into the ground by the big Athy No. 8. The ball was snatched off the ground by the advancing David Bailey who nipped in on the 28th minute. Hughes failed to convert and the opening half closed with Gorey leading 15 - 5.

The second half opened with a series of attacks down the wing being dragged into touch. Line outs continued to be a problem for Gorey with either the ball not in straight or not declaring their numbers. Their misery was compounded when, from a great attacking platform, an Athy lineout in the 5th minute was taken at full speed by their Capt Lee Hendly who ran from his seven meter line to touchdown under the Gorey posts and set up an easy tap over. At 15 - 12, Athy were within a score. A great catch from the restart turned the tide for Athy who advanced to within 5 meters. Their runner, upended by a scrambling defence got a penalty. A time for decisive tactics. The game slowed down. Supporters held their breath.

Tap n'go. Athy charged the Gorey line. Hoare fired himself into the point man, his opposite No. 8, who was very slow to get up. The threat was temporarily neutralised. From a recycled ruck, Athy attempted a drop goal but to Gorey's relief it went left and wide. 

From the off, Sawyer made good distance but was tripped and played the ball on the ground. Athy kicked for touch, gained 25 meters, took a short ball and with great hands and intricate movements were off again. From the ruck Hughes stuck in his boot and the grubber kick had Hadden off with ball in hand. Through two tackles, he offloaded to Barry Doyle who was immediately dispatched earthwards. Tomkins recycled to Hoare who got to within 7 meters. Hadden's long looping pass skipped two men and brilliant hands by winger Robbie Brooks, who took the ball off his laces, saw him over unopposed for try no 4.   

The restart saw slippery Reece Hughes dodging, twisting and side stepping his way forward. Gorey's forwards drove on. Jamie Doyle saw a gap and when he was within two meters of the line he played the ball on the ground, Athy were visibly relieved. Referee, Andre Hillebrand called the captains in again and all agreed that the last few rucks resulted in off the ball handbags but it had to stop.
The Athy kicker, James Lear, didn't find touch that time and Cathal Byrne, in for David Bailey released Hoare for a typical 30m powerful drive followed up by 5 more from Rothwell. Exciting stuff. Gorey were fouled in the scrum, advantage played, coded messages exchanged, Hoare ordered Stone to advance. He did so to within 3 meters and popped to a full tilt Daniel Sawyer who smashed over, was held up but wriggled free to ground the ball for try No. 5. 

With the Gorey kicker, No. 10 Cian Hadden, iced up on the side lined nursing an ankle injury, full back Reece Hughes missed the extra two. His kick had a good line but lacked the required power. Twenty five points to twelve. Athy responded with a sting in the tail and immediately put up five of their own but again failing to convert, the sides remained separated by twenty five points to seventeen in favour of the visitors. 

Spectators from both sides agreed it was a very fine display from both squads. 
 
The squad would like to thank their management and coaching staff of Brian Willoughby, James Tomkins, Ivan Kelly and Jim Hoare. It was a long 70kms to the game and many thanks to the parents who travelled to the venue to offer their support and especially their sponsors, Stafford's Bakery of Clonattin, Gorey.
 
The squad consisted of;
1.    James Hilliard
2.    Michael Wafer
3.    Barry Doyle
4.    David Bailey (Try)
5.    Dale Rothwell
6.    James Stone
7.    Chris Bolger
8.    Mark Hoare, Capt (Try)
9.    Seamus Tompkins
10.  Cian Hadden (Try)
11.  Martin Doyle
12.  Daniel Sawyer (Try)
13.  Jamie Doyle
14.  Robbie Brooks (Try)
15.  Reece Hughes

Replacements; Cathal Byrne, Gary Walsh, Patrick Sinnott.