Edenderry Rugby Club

Edenderry travelled away to Rathdrum in Wicklow this weekend.

It was their second game of the top tier of the division and a second win in the pool would have seen them go to the top of the league by a margin after their great opening win against Weford, but unfortunately it was not to be and the away side only managed to come away with one bonus point for a loss by less than seven points. Edenderry started the brighter in the game with lots of pressure on the home teams scrum and lineout, and indeed the away side dominated the set piece for the entire game but could not manage to turn the possession into points. They won the first scrum against the head with Derek Kearney really dominating and putting a lot of pressure on his opponent who had to be replaced mid way through the first half. This was a sign of things to  come as the home side were never matched at the set piece for the whole game showing that recent work in this area is paying off.

In the line out Morley and McEvoy were outstanding and won a number of their own and opposition throw ins for Edenderry. Second rower David Keenan put the first score on the board with a try from close range which was converted after sustained pressure from Edenderry and a lot of possession for the away side.

Tommy Crampton who was back from injury also had a strong game and gained a lot of yards from the back of the scrum with his trade mark breaks and Edenderry were unfortunate not to put more points on the board from the set piece. Also worthy of note was Jack Kilmurray who was steady at full back, Rathdrum tried to pressure the position but Kilmurray handled any thing that was put his way.

The last 10 minutes of the first half saw Edenderry fall away badly conceding a couple of penalties with one long range effort converted and the score was 7-3 at the break, which in all honesty was disappointing for  Edenderry who should have been out of sight by that stage.

In the second half Edenderry had a bright start and got 3 more points on the board after a lot of pressure on the Rathdrum line. Again the away side created a couple of great chances inside the Rathdrum 22 but failed to get more scores on the board. This seemed to encourage the home team back into the game and a charging run down the field eventually saw the home team score in the right corner. Indiscipline eventually crept into the away sides game and 2 penalties late on by Rathdrum after infringements by Edenderry allowed them to seal victory. Edenderry do sit top of the table however with five points but the two teams below thew do have a game in hand. Thier next game is away to one of those teams, Railway Union, who Edenderry play next Sunday the 13th of December.

Team: D Kearney, B Rushe, S Potterton (Capt.), D Keenan, Nix McEvoy, T Mulligan, L Morley, T Crampton, T Facwett, B O'Carroll, E Cooney, S O'Donnell, R Conlan, L Holt, J Kilmurray Subs: G Murray, S Rushe, R Smyth, F Kennedy

 

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