Match Report: Clondalkin 9 vs Enniscorthy 33, Leinster League Division 1A, Saturday 31st October
Clondalkin were up against league leaders Enniscorthy but came out second best in this Leinster League Division 1A game, held in the Kingswood sunshine on Saturday 31st October.
Unbeaten in this year’s League and the current holders of the Leinster Towns Cup, Enniscorthy were always going to pose a stern challenge for Clon and straight from the kick-off the home team found themselves on the back foot. After just 6 minutes, Clon had already conceded 3 penalties within scoring range inside their own half and it was only on the third attempt that the visitors knocked over a successful kick and took advantage on the scoreboard. Willing to run the ball from anywhere on the pitch, the Wexford side threatened to break through the home defense and won a 5 metre scrum when they were held up over the try line. From the resulting set-piece, the normally reliable Clon pack were driven back and the referee awarded a penalty try under the posts as the scrum disintegrated. 10 points to nil after an easy conversion, the match was in danger of turning into into a Halloween horror show for Clon, but to their credit they started to put pressure on Enniscorthy with Barry Molloy running some good lines from full back and Niall Nolan unlucky to lose out in a chip and chase over the Enniscorthy try line. The scrum also improved dramatically with the pressure now on Enniscorthy and on the stroke of half time Chris Jebb got Clon’s first points with a well taken penalty from the 10 metre line.
Trailing by just 7 points, Clon maintained good momentum into the start of the second half but could not shake the habit of giving away penalties – it was Enniscorthy who drove over a long range 3-pointer after just 6 minutes to extend their lead to 10. The home team were coming out second best at the breakdown and Enniscorthy were more than happy to take advantage – after 10 minutes they sent over their second penalty kick. On 14 minutes, Jebb was unlucky to hit the upright with a long range effort but made amends just 2 minutes later after the away team were penalised. 6 points to 16, the sides traded unsuccessful attempts before Jebb aim was again true and Clon were now back in losing bonus point territory, 9-16. The home team won a 5 metre scrum with Enniscorthy under serious pressure with just 10 minutes remaining – the roles were reversed from the first half and Clon’s pack drove the visitors back. However, the referee detected an infringement that nobody else could spot and awarded a penalty to the defending side which they tapped and ran. After just 2 phases, Enniscorthy covered the length of the pitch and scored a try which they easily converted to put daylight between the sides. Worse was to come as Clondalkin’s discipline fell away and a further converted try and penalty put a gloss on the scoreboard – final result 9 – 33. A disappointing day for the home side who were up against a powerful and well drilled team but they will rue the concession of multiple penalties which cost them dearly. Next up is a chance to gain revenge for last seasons Town’s Cup semi-final loss when they travel to play Kilkenny on Saturday November 7th.
