Sunday’s Well 31 Clonakilty 20
Sunday’s Well produced another four-try performance; their fifth in seven League games with another display of enterprising invigorating attacking rugby on the main pitch at Virgin Media Park. Against a very tough and confident Clonakilty, they managed a tough first-half into the wind before gradually pulling away. In driving wind and rain, with a slippery ball that as difficult to hold; the ‘Well emerged on top as both sides showed great skills and determination to provide an extremely entertaining fare for the sizable supporters.
Alex Lane; on the right-wing has turned into an incredible try-scoring machine, while of course being prominent around the open-field. He scored the last two tries to secure the bonus point as the ‘Well established a 18-13 lead before. The first try of his came after sustained pressure and receiving the ball on the touch-line with defenders closing in; he just put his head down and powered through the tackle.
The try of the game came minutes after, just before the hour mark in the game. Kees Pereka made a formidable surge up into the Twenty-Two and with the Clon’ defence scrambling; the impeccable Ciaran Maguire decided to forego the normal passing option and put a clever and superbly weighted chip towards Lane; who wasn’t too far away on the right-wing; allow Lane to race forward and gather the ball; step inside and again force his way over the line.
The ’Well played into the strong wind in-the first half. The ‘Well struck the first blow; after a magnificent dominant scrum. Great carries by Evan O’Connell and Jacob Lane put them in a strong attacking position that saw them awarded a penalty which Maguire duly knocked over. Rob Howick responded with a kick for Clon’, after centre Henry Miles was held up – but an advantage was being played to the West Cork club.
Miles got his try soon after; being set-up by Howick who also converted. However, the ‘Well wouldn’t trail for long. The always lively Fabien Loughrey was managing the tempo and a constant threat around the fringes. A quick tap put the opposition on the backfoot and Finn MaCFhllannchadha; who persistently made dominant dynamic carries surged over the line, with Maguire levelling the scores.
Both sides continued to look to spread the ball out. Harry McHenry made some strong breaks with Kees Pereka making some great incisive offloads. However; it was just a pair of penalties that were exchanged – to leave the scores level at 13 points apiece at the break.
With the wind in their favour; the ‘Well made a quick start to the second-half. Captain Finn was held up; but the ‘Well like Clon’ replicated the earlier situation their opposition had. Luke Jordan made a great burst to the line and Cormac Kelliher followed up to get the score.
Then the game turned into the Alex Lane show; not only as he notched his two tries but also made a magnificence 50-22 kick after the ‘Well produced a mammoth defensive play – eventually turning over possession. It was a great effort on both sides of the ball; with David O’Dwyer coming to the fore at full-back under the high ball in extremely difficult conditions.
There was a late consolation for the game visitors; for whom prop forward William Tyner caught the eyes with regular carries. Miles again got in for a try – but the ‘Well closed the game out to sniff out any chance of a comeback with Maguire kicking a penalty at the death to seal the victory.
Scorers: Sunday’s Well: Finn MacFhlannchadha, Cormac Kelliher, Alex Lane (2) tries; Ciaran Maguir3 pens, con.
Clonakilty: Henry Miles 2 tries; Rob Howick 2 pens, 2 cons.
Sunday’s Well: David O’Dwyer; Alex Lane, Harry McHenry, Andrew O’Callaghan, Emeka Asiegbu; Ciaran Maguire, Fabien Loughrey; Evan O’Connell, Dylan Cooper, Mike McCarthy; Jacob Lane, Robert Loftus; Kees Pereka, Finn MacFhlannchadha, Cormac Kelliher. Replacements: Sean McDermott, Luke Jordan, David Hourigan, Andrew Mintern, Robert Egar, Ryan O’Donoghue-Kelleher, Eric Kingston.
Clonakilty: Rob Howick; Ben Lovell, Kieran Howlin, Henry Miles, Conor Hayes; Ryan O’Donnell, Patrick McCarthy; William Tyner, Tom Doyle, David Jennings; Maurice Downey, Eoin Murphy; Donnacha Walsh, Cian Downey, Olan Deane. Replacements: Ciaran McCarthy, Jack Burton, Fionn Murphy, Finian Neville, Sean Flood, Luke McCarthy, Mark Purcell.
