Trinity Win at last!!!!
14/01/2006
 

St Marys College 19pts Trinity 23pts

 

 

 

Trinity won their first AIL league game in fifteen months on Saturday with a totally committed performance on Saturday at Templeville road. The students played their best rugby in the first half in a near flawless display against an St Mary’s outfit who are having a very good first season back in Division one.

 

 

 

 

 

Trinity came out in the first half all guns a blazing! They attacked the home team in all areas of the game. In the early minutes they did have a set back when a drop goal was charged down and the home team eagerly ran the length of the field for an opportunistic score.

 

 

 

 

 

The students recovered from this minor set back, and set about the task of getting their first league win. The forwards were mighty as they drove the home pack back yards in the line-outs and at maul time. The backs attacked strongly keeping the ball, as the whole team recycled at pace attacking the home defence. The Trinity defence also saw a huge improvement from the week before displaying improved defensive line speed and better ‘one on one’ tackling.

 

 

 

 

 

Trinity scored their first try through captain Matt Crockett who drove over from close in after the students had been camped on the home line.

 

 

 

 

 

Next up was another score from second row Martin Garvey who from a line out scored from his patented line out manoever. It was fitting that Matt and Martin should score as they carried the brunt of the ball on the fringes. Johnny Watt converted both tries and added a penalty just before half time to give the visitors a deserved 17-7 lead.

 

 

 

 

 

In the second half the game slowed down a little, but the Trinity forwards continued to dominate, with second row Mark Warburton lording the line-outs and the front five dominating their opposites. For all the field position the visitors had, it was probably a little disappointing they did not score more than two Johnny Watt penalties. The home team were tenacious on defence and kept out waves of Trinity attacks.

 

 

 

 

 

The home team were always going to play some rugby at some point, and this they did late in the game when another Trinity turnover sparked a revival when they ran the length of the field to score against the run of play. St Mary’s attacked with renewed enthusiasm and got into the game for the first time. It was now Trinity’s turn to defend and this they did, with huge hits on the fringes and generally had a well-marshalled defence. The home out-half did slip through for a try which made the last few minutes a little nerve wracking!.

 

 

 

 

 

This was a superb win for Trinity who have struggled throughout the year with any consistency partly due to a horrific long injury list. Even on Saturday two players Peter McFeely and Joey Burns were making their 1^st XV debuts.  The students cannot get carried a way with this solitary win. Galwegians beat Lansdowne yesterday to leave the students second from bottom. Carlow are bottom (two points behind). Galwegians come to College park on Saturday in what will be a game of huge consequence.  Trinity have eight games remaining six at home, but next Saturday is a ‘must win’ game if they have aspirations of staying in the top flight. All support will be most welcome

 

 

 

 

 

Team; 15 Donal Crotty, 14 Philip Howard, 13 Barry Kinsella, 12 Brian Hastings, 11 Shane Hanratty, 10 Johnny Watt, 9 Joey Burns, 1 Nial Conlon, 2 Matt Crockett, 3 Paul Doran Jones, 4 Martin Garvey, 5 Marc Warburton, 6 Peter McFeely, 7 Darren Hayes, 8 Hugh Hogan.

 

 

 

On Sunday; St Mary’s got immediate revenge when they beat a depleted Trinity XV 31 – 7.  Trinity played well in patches but the visiting defence were well organised and more physical at the breakdown, they also took their chances when they arose. The 2^nd XV are still in contention for the play offs but need to get players back fit, to be competitive in the coming weeks.

 

 

 

 

 

The U20s A continued their undefeated run in wet conditions at Santry with a 41-0 win over Old Wesley. They now are one point behind UCD with two games to play. The top team go direct to the All Ireland championships top eight. The next four teams play off for the remaining two Leinster All Ireland places.

 

 

 

 

 

In the curtain raiser for the U20s game the U20s B had an interesting fixture with the Senior 3rds. In a hotly contested game the U20s B ran out winners 23-10. The scores were level at half time. It was very much the 3rds pack who dominated in the tight against the U20s backs who ran well particularly late in the game. The U20s B has a crucial final league game next week against Carlow. If they win they will qualify for the semi finals of the play offs. This would be the first time that the Bs has been in this position.

 

 

 

 

 

---