21st Oct, 2007
	COBH PIRATES RFC	29 – 12	OLD CHRISTIANS RFC	Paddocks, Cobh Referee: Seamus Freeman, M.A.R.
	Tries: John Brennan, Jim Cotter (2), Peter Mullan, Con: Jack Hickey (3) Pen: Jack Hickey (1) Drop:	10 - 7 HT	Tries: Con: Pen: Drop:

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The game wasplayed with strong wind blowing towards main pitch score board. Old Christians arrived at paddock with large squad of players and a very big and strong looking pack. It has been noted more than once that: “what the pirates pack lack in size they more than make up for in performance”.

 

This game was no exception the pack played very well in both defence and attack turning old Christians over 8 times and taking 2 against the head in scrums. The pirates line has been a very strong point throughout the season so far with Dave McAuliffe finding his target at 2 and 4 jumpers almost every time. Second row Brian O’Leary is one of many young players up from under 18 last year and is having a great season (as they all are) and the lifters are able to get him well up into the air which helps the thrower.

 

A Jack Hickey penalty early in the game settled Pirates and they played some good rugby with forwards and backs playing well. A Christians try against the run of play did not unsettle Pirates and a John Brennan try following good work by the pack releasing the backs to move the balls wide and expose the Christians defence. Christians scored a try following good mauling from their pack and missed the conversion to leave the score .10-7 at half time.

 

The second half saw Christians come more into the game but Pirates weathered the storm and gradually got control of the game. The loss of hooker Dave McAuliffe upset the line-out dominance of pirates, but the pack more than made up for this with some quick ball to set up good back moves which saw Jim Cotter score 2 great tries.

 

A further try from sub Peter Mullan finally killed off Christians. Jack Hickey kicked 3 conversions. The atmosphere within the camp is excellent and this shows with good numbers turning up every Tuesday and Thurs nights for training, this takes a great deal of effort on behalf of the players but the results reflect this. The mixture of young and not so young players is great to see and its keeps both the training sessions and matches spiced up.

 

Report Submitted by: Donnacha Geary, J2 Coach

Team:

1	Jason Anglim
2	Dave McAuliffe	Peter Mullan (Inj, 50 min)
3	Tom Keaveney	Garrett O'Connor, 65 min
4	Joe Halpin	Killian Tighe, 65 min
5	Brian O'Leary
6	James Clifford
7	Colm O'Donovan
8	Ciaran Duignam
9	Joe Hoyne	Donnacha O'Donovan, 70min
10	Jack Hickey
11	John Brennan
12	Colm Morgan
13	Conor Anderson
14	Jim Cotter
15	Dave Barrett	Alan Langford (Inj, 60 min)