Another super win

Garda checkpoint fails to stop runaway Arklow outfit

GARDA ARKLOW 16 24

ARKLOW continued their perfect start to the season on Sunday with a bonus-point win away to Garda.

Arklow travelled to Westmanstown to face the unknown of a newly promoted side but dispatched of Garda on a score line of 24-16, taking all five points for their effort.

The Arklow side started well, something they have struggled with in other games this season, but it was the varied attack that has been the cornerstone of their game that proved too much for Garda in Westmanstown.

Burly carries up front were matched by quick hands out the back leaving the Garda defence in ribbons for the first half.

An early break down the down the left wing could have resulted in a try when Joe Blumer strode forward with Pete Lynch in support, but the ball didn’t go to hand. This was a sign of what was to come however.

Arklow got the scoreboard ticking when Lynch made a break down his line again before feeding Shane Nalty, Arklow’s experienced link man. As calm as ever, Nalty held up the ball before feeding Paddy Ryan who scored the first of Arklow’s four tries.

While Arklow dominated the first half, the huge pack of Garda always looked threatening. After a poor clearance by Arklow, the pack had an opportunity to attack the travelling side’s line. Good defence stopped the barrage of carries but an infringement in the ruck gave the hosts a chance to kick a penalty with they dually converted to leave just two points between the sides.

Arklow were far superior for the remainder of the half. From the resulting kick-off they upped their intensity and when a good effort from the away pack saw them pressurise Garda, receiving the kick on their 22, they won a turnover. The side were patient and moved the ball all over the opposition 22 before a strong carry from Tom Scarfe gave the Arklow backs a chance of quick ball. Tommy New has been a brilliant signing for Arklow this year and when he was faced with a one-on-one opportunity, there was only going to be one winner.

Garda couldn’t live with Arklow in open play but on the occasion that they tried to slow the ball down Arklow were rewarded a penalty and having kicked to the corner they set up a lineout move that was too slick for Garda.

The excellent Colm Doyle won the ball cleanly under pressure in the air before popping the ball to Joe Bulmer who hit Richard Murphy barrelling down the 5m channel to score.

Garda managed another penalty before half time but Arklow led 19-6 at the break. In the second half, a strong wind that had been on Arklow’s in the first, back proved troublesome as the travelling side struggled to clear their lines. This problem came to light early-on when Garda turned the ball over deep in Arklow territory. With the wind at their backs the heavy pack began picking-and-going and the sustained pressure caused Arklow to give away penalty after penalty, receiving a yellow card in the process for too many infringements. Now with a man advantage the Garda pack couldn’t be stopped and reduced Arklow’s lead with a well-worked try.

Arklow managed to curb Garda’s dominance and went on an attack themselves. After some dumper truck work from Ben Byrne Diaper, that varied Arklow attack was affective again. Richard Murphy received the ball out wide and dotted down to leave Arklow 13 points to the good with bonus point secured.

There was a tense finale to the game. After another yellow card for Arklow and more sustained effort from the Garda pack resulted in a try for the hosts, they went on the search for another. The final minutes of the game saw Arklow defend their line under serious pressure from their opposition. Man of the Match, John Furlong was a rock all day.

His defensive efforts were trojan and he managed to keep Garda out time after time. Eventually Arklow spotted their opportunity. Brothers Eoin and Tadhg Ó Scannáil teamed up with Joe Bulmer to put in a huge hit on their own line.

Richard Murphy, who has had a stellar start to the season nipped in for the turnover and the bonus-point win was secured.

Arklow now face into a break period as they look forward to continuing what has been the best start to a season for quite a number of years.