Sligo 42 :: Ballinrobe 3
Sligo continued their perfect league start with a bonus point win over newly promoted Ballinrobe RFC at the racecourse grounds in Ballinrobe on Sunday. Traditionally, games between these two clubs are closely fought physical encounters but Sligo produced a display of high tempo rugby, particularly in the second half that their Mayo counterparts had no answer to. The visitors racked up seven tries without conceding on their way to a well deserved victory.
Sligo’s Captain James Wilson won the toss and elected to play against the breeze. Ballinrobe kicked off into Sligo who immediately showed their intent by quickly bringing their backline into play. Fine breaks by full back David Gerrity and outside centre Jordan Farrington looked to have unlocked the home defence but chances were spurned with some loose passing.
The opening score arrived after 11 minutes when following a huge scrum by the Sligo eight the ball was quickly moved to Farrington who sliced through the home defence before being held on the ‘Robe 22. Frantic defence by the home team saw the concession of a penalty and winger Jack Macklin dispatched the ball over the bar to put his team three points to the good.
Ballinrobe responded quickly, and from the kick-off immediately put pressure on the visitors. This pressure was rewarded when indecisive play resulted in the awarding of a penalty on the Sligo 22 metre line. Home Scrum half Oisin Gill brought the sides level with a well struck effort. Sligo went on the hunt for a try and were rewarded after 18 minutes with a fine effort. A big lineout take from James Wilson was quickly moved infield. Outhalf Paddy Pearson fed Farrington who showed his class by brilliantly gliding through the home defence before releasing Gerrity who outpaced the cover to dot down to the right of the posts. Macklin added the extras to put his team 10 points to 3 ahead.
The home team again reacted well and used the elements to pin Sligo into their own 22. This pressure was almost rewarded when a quickly thrown lineout saw the ball moved to winger Owen Hughes who looked destined to score but good covering by Jack Macklin and Cathal Culhane averted the danger and ensured that Sligo remained 7 points ahead at the break.
The second half began in whirlwind fashion. Pearson kicked long and the Sligo chasers put the home team under pressure. The relieving kick was collected by winger Ted Mulvaney who cleverly evaded three tackles before releasing Gerrity. Gerrity chipped ahead and began the chase. Farrington contested the kick collection and Gerrity picked and darted over to add to his earlier effort. Macklin was narrowly wide with the Conversion. The Sligo pack were now dominant in all departments. The front row of Adrian Mc Hale, Gary Conneely and Jason East were giving their opponents a torrid time in the scrums and Peter Mullan and James Wilson were causing havoc on the home lineout. The hard work of the Sligo pack was rewarded on 51 minutes when following a series of rucks close to the ‘Robe line, powerhouse, East crashed though the defence for a well taken score. Macklin was unlucky with a well struck conversion effort.
The bonus point fourth try arrived on 60 minutes. Good driving play from second row Jamie Bowes set up a ruck inside the ‘Robe 22. The ball was quickly moved to veteran centre Gavin Foley who superbly sliced through the defence before being stopped inches short of the line. Scrum Half Billy Leahy picked and wrong footed the defence to touch down. Macklin advanced his sides total to 27 with the conversion kick. Sligo’s continued to inflict pain on the Mayo outfit and on 24 minutes increased their total when substitute Julian Rippon collected a well timed pass from industrious flanker Peter Mullan and took off on a mazy run. Three defenders were beaten before Rippon was bundled into touch just short of the try line. Wilson expertly stole the lineout and No 8 Trevor Sweeney was on hand to touch down following the well driven maul. Macklins conversion attempt fell short.
The Yeats county men were now rampant and the home team had no answer for their high tempo game. The pick of the tries came on 29 minutes when a move straight from the training ground yielded another 5 pointer. A scrum in the ‘Robe 22 was move wide to Rippon who was stopped 10 yards from the line. A quick recycle saw the ball flashed left to right to the awaiting Peter Mullan. Mullan superbly held three defenders before off loading to the rampaging East who crashed over for his second score of the day to put Sligo 37 points to the good. Ted Mulvaney completed the scoring when 4 minutes from full time Mullan expertly latched on to a Ballinrobe midfield mistake and turned the ball over. Foley fed Mulvaney on the half way line and he used his pace and strength to beat the home defence and touch down in the right hand corner.
Next Sunday sees Sligo host Our Lady’s Boys Club from Galway. OLBC were seen by many observers as one of the most improved teams in the league last season and will provide a stern test for this Sligo outfit. The game kicks off at 3 o Clock at Hamilton park, Strandhill.
Sligo: David Gerrity, Ted Mulvaney, Jordan Farrington, Gavin Foley, Jack Macklin, Paddy Pearson, Billy Leahy, Adrian Mc Hale, Gary Conneely, Jason East, James Wilson, Jamie Bowes, Peter Mullan, Cathal Culhane, Trevor Sweeney. Subs : Martin Feeney for Mc Hale, Ross Mannion for Conneely, Julian Rippon for Farrington.
Ballinrobe: Shane Biggins, Owen Hughes, Patrick Flannagan, James Mc Tigue, Brian lynskey, Trevor Nally, Oisin Gill, David Brennan, Damian Burke, Chris Mc Hugh, Martin Joyce, Anthony Coleman, Shane Kelly, David Madden, Declan Costello. Subs Marcin Mikolajeswki, Aiden Golden, Peter Golden
Photos from this game can be found on our Facebook page here.
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