Sligo back to winning ways!

Sligo 26 :: Tuam 5

After last weeks unexpected loss away to Corinthians Sligo needed to get back on the horse and this was exactly what they managed on a cold crisp day at their home patch . Not only did they win but they managed a four try bonus point which keeps them in the hunt for overall honours in the Connacht Junior league Div 1.

In what was an entertaining match they did not always get it their own way as the plucky Tuam pack were not about to lie down and have their bellies tickled. Sligo achieved this win because their backs were far superior to the opposition and anytime they got fast ball they had the Tuam defence in serious trouble. While they scored four trys they could have had a few more only their accuracy let them down.

On closer analysis Sligo can be disappointed with some of the forward play which was sloppy at times and the concession of penalties particularly at the breakdown has to be a worry for the coach. If this pack could supply quick clean ball to the backs they are capable of beating any side in the league with their backs. Any back line with Paddy Pearson and Jordan Farrington can do you serious damage. Both players possess the basic skills of rugby allied to athleticism and speed of thought that sets them apart. Paddy at out half had a fine game in his management of affairs and he scored sixteen points with two trys and three conversions. Farrington operating at outside centre made several clean breaks and capped his performance with a fine try late in the match for the bonus try.

The other back to catch the eye was right wing Ted Mulvany. Every time he got possession he was positive shrugging off defenders and making lots of meters and keeping his team going forward.

In the pack the two stand out performers were the veteran Peter Mullan and the young gun Simon Coulter. Peter reigned supreme in the line out not only securing his own ball but managing to snaffle several opposition balls and he capped a great day  with a fine try in the first half. Simon Coulter is now becoming Sligos most important loose forward  and he is all over the park in support. He was operating at No 8 on this occasion but he is even better as an open side where  he can use his all round pace and skill.

Sligo elected to play with a slight wind and were very quickly into their stride putting Tuam under all types of pressure. It wasn’t long before this pressure told and trys from Peter Mullan and Paddy Pearson both converted by the out half had them 14 nil up . As the half wore on Tuam got more into the match and they were rewarded with the pressure late in the first half when their hard working pack got a pushover try from a close in maul. They failed to convert and this left the score at 14 5 at the break.

The second half followed in much the same vein with the Sligo backs looking dangerous with the ball and mid way through the half they were rewarded with a fine try on the left corner after the ball had been cleverly moved through many pairs of hands with Paddy Pearson wrapping around the defence to touch down. The conversion drifted wide but Sligo were in a strong position at 19 5 and they went hunting for the bonus point try. Again this came courtesy of the back line when Gavin Foley threw a clever short side pass to Farrington. Even though he had a lot to do the Kiwi centre stepped through a tired opposition to score near the posts. Pearson converted to give a final score of 26 5.

This result will please the coach and management and is a much need confidence boost for next weeks massive encounter at home to Monivea in the Junior Cup. This game also highlighted some areas that need to be looked at but I think the players will need no motivation for next week against high flyers Monivea. The main area where Sligo will have to look at is the breakdown. On this occasion they gave away so many penalties and this will have to be addressed if they want to progress . Every referee has a different interpretation of this area but it is also up to the players on the pitch to adapt to this and not get frustrated with it. It can make all the difference  between fast and slow ball.

Sligo still lie second in this league to a rampant Monivea outfit and it is not over until the final game. With the Cup game next week Sligo can lay down a marker and show what they are made of and a win at home against the league leaders would be huge . Roll on next Sunday.

Sligo team. Gavin Foley, Ted Mulvany, Jordan Farrington,  Andy Feeney, Joe Sweeney, Paddy Pearson, Martin Feeney, Ross Mannion, Jason East, Jamie Bowes, Peter Mullan, Trevor Sweeney, Simon Coulter, Gary Conneely. Subs. Adrian McHale, Frankie Feeney, James Wilson.

Next Fixture; Sunday Sligo v Monivea Junior Cup quarter final.