Mini’s & Youths: Match reports & fixtures

In contrast to last weeks match this weeks league match saw sleet, a heavy pitch and shivering players line up for the away match v Douglas RFC.

With 16 to choose from and led by Captain Thomas Otway Collig started off confidently from the kick off applying pressure on the opposition with good rucking by the forwards and excellent passing by the backs considering the conditions.  But as happened last week we fell behind when the impressive Douglas No 8 ran through our forward and back defence from 25 yards to score under the posts, converted. 0 – 7.

Undeterred by this Collig stormed back and showed great support play and camped on the Douglas line where Douglas prevented possible tries from Diarmuid Nolan, Oisin Morin and Gearoid O’Brien before our own impressive No 8 Cathal MacDermott scored after his surging run, convert by Shane Buckley, 7 – 7.  We were nearly getting the measure of Douglas now but still conceded another try following another strong 20 yards run from the Douglas 8, converted, 7 – 14 at half time.

With the wind at our backs for the 2nd half and tactics paying off it was all Collig.  Credit to Douglas who defended with great determination but any possession they had ended in errors due mainly to the pressure Collig kept them under. Eventually after 10 mins of the half from a tap penalty Patrick Kelly 20 yards out, burst over the line to score, unconverted. 12 – 14.   More mistakes from Douglas allowed Collig back up the pitch and with the forwards in control and providing excellent ball for the backs who continued to pass well Collig again scored through Kelly with conversion by Buckley. 19 – 14. 2 more unconverted tries followed from Buckley and the ever alert Rhian Brennan deputising at 2nd row ending the game with a score line of 29 – 14. A real team performance from everyone was the foundation for this win with Patrick Forde and Darragh Shaughnessy impressive in gathering loose ball and cover tackling.
Next weeks match v Fermoy at home.

Ballincollig RFC would like to express our gratitude to the parents who provided cakes and sandwiches last weekend to provide hospitality to our visiting teams from Skibereen.

This weeks fixtures:

• U7s – Home game v Clonakilty 
• U8s – Home game v Clonakilty 
• U9s – Home game v Clonakilty 
• U10s – Home game v Clonakilty 
• U11s – Home game v Clonakilty 
• U12s – Home game v Clonakilty
• U13s – Home game v Fermoy