Castlebar RFC 6 :: Sligo RFC 24
Sligo cemented second place in the Connacht Junior league with a bonus point win over Mayo rivals Castlebar on Sunday.
In a game played in sub zero temperatures Sligo’s second half performance in which they scored three tries proved to be too powerful for their western hosts.
Sligo kicked off with the aid of the light breeze and put early pressure on the home team. A free flowing move on ten minutes looked promising when Jordan Farrington was put into space but the move was called back by the referee for a forward pass.
The home team responded and started to use their kicking game to good effect pinning Sligo back into their own half. Their enterprise was rewarded when on 12 minutes they opened the scoring with a well taken drop goal from out half Robbie Cusack.
Sligo went back on the attack and were awarded a penalty on the ‘Bar 10 metre line. Outhalf Paddy Pearson opted to go for the posts but his well struck effort came back off the crossbar. The Sligo chasers put pressure on the home defence but Castlebar managed to clear their lines.
The opening try arrived after 19 minutes when following a Peter Mullan lineout take the ball was driven forward by Cathal Culhane. A quick ruck was set up before scrum half Billy Leahy broke around the side and raced clear to dot down to the left of the posts. Pearson added the conversion to make the score 7-3 in favour of the visitors.
Castlebar again fought back and were awarded a penalty for offside on the Sligo 22. Full back Rory Conway made no mistake with the kick to bring his side within one point of the north westerners.
Castlebar continued to press and were awarded another penalty on the Sligo 10 metre line on 29 minutes. The kick came back off the upright and a scramble ensued. Castlebar came up with the ball and looked destined to score but the ball was dropped and Sligo were allowed to clear.
Sligo went on the hunt for a second try before half time and a score looked likely following a Julian Rippon break but Castlebar infringed at the ruck and the move was halted. Castlebar full back Conway was sent to the sin-bin for the infringement but Sligo were unable to add to their total before half time.
Sligo upped the pace for the second half and their driving game began to cause problems for their hosts. Following a series of drives Paddy Pearson expertly shot through the tightest of gaps on the home 22 before side-stepping the cover and finishing in the corner. The outhalf’s well struck conversion effort fell just short leaving the score at 6 points to 12 in Sligo’s favour.
Sligo increased their advantage 20 minutes into the second half when a series of penalties allowed them set up camp in the home 22. A maul formed from a James Wilson catch at a 5 yard lineout was driven over the Castlebar line allowing flanker Cathal Culhane touchdown for his teams third try. Pearsons conversion effort drifted wide of the posts.
The 4 try bonus point was now within reach and Sligo were on top in all facets of play. Powerful second row Jamie Bowes drove into the Castlebar defence before setting up a ruck on the halfway line. Leahy fed Pearson and the outhalf made another trademark break before the ball was transferred to winger Julian Rippon who sped into the Castlebar 22. The ball found its way back to Pearson who brilliantly linked again with Rippon, allowing the winger to round the cover before racing across to touch down under the posts. Pearson had to leave the action with a calf injury so Farrington took over the kicking duties and the centre duly obliged with a well struck conversion.
Sligo had to play with 14 men for the last ten minutes when hooker Gary Conneely was yellow carded for an offence at a Sligo ruck when many of the watching observers felt that the penalty should been awarded to the visitors. However, the fourteen Sligo men made light of this disadvantage and closed the game out without too much difficulty.
Pearson takes the man of the match plaudits but the performances of veterans Peter Mullan and Gavin Foley both deserve a mention. The duo have over 35 seasons of senior rugby experience between them and both are pivotal to the Sligo success story this season. Mullan is consistently strong at the line out and his work from the base of the scrum has ensured that his team are constantly working with go-forward ball. Midfield general Foley has shut the door on opposition backlines week after week and his big hits are an inspiration to all the players around him.
Following 4 big wins on the trot Sligo take a well deserved break next weekend before travelling to their final league match against table toppers Monivea at the Castle grounds on Sunday 7 th March. The following Sunday Sligo play their much awaited Heineken Connacht Junior cup semi final against Tuam RFC at Strandhill.
Sligo : D Gerrity, N O Hara, J Farrington, G Foley, J Rippon, P Pearson, B Leahy, A Mc Hale, G Conneely, J East, J Bowes, J Wilson, T Sweeney, C Culhane, P Mullan. Reps T Gormaly, A Feeney, D Cox.
Castlebar : K Conway, F Casey, P Coady, T Kirby, M Staunton, R Cusack, P O Malley, R Hughes, N Coyle, R Fox, S Wooton, T Mc Auliffe, P Connolly, P Gavin, D Staunton.
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