’Stones back on top

Wicklow side secure an emphatic win over Dungannon

DUNGANNON RFC GREYSTONES 12 43

GREYSTONES arrested a two match losing run with an emphatic bonus point win away to Dungannon on Saturday scoring six tries in a 43 -12 win.

Coach Kevin Lewis made five changes in personnel to the starting fifteen that lost narrowly away to Galway Corinthians a week ago and a couple of positional switches as he continues to manage a lengthening injury list, the latest to join being scrum half Alex Ryan who picked up a knee injury in training during the week.

Ryan’s absence meant a first All Ireland League start for Matt O’Brien at outhalf with Captain Killian Marmion taking the number nine shirt, a change that paid dividends in the game with the pair dictating tempo throughout to keep Dungannon pressed for much of the afternoon along with grabbing three tries between the two of them.

Greystones signaled their attacking intent from the off with the new half back pairing combining in the opening minutes to put O’Brien clear for a fifty metre break deep into the Dungannon half before he was held up just short of the line.

Dungannon went on to clear the danger but a clear warning had been laid down.

Despite this bright start it was the hosts who opened the scoring five minutes later with a well worked move that saw David Leybourne open a gap in the centre of the Greystones defence before play was moved to the left winger, Harrison who found space on the outside to touch down in the corner.

Andrew Kealy responded on 14 minutes with a well taken penalty to narrow the gap before the first of six tries was grabbed by Hooker Darragh Higgins. Once again scintillating play by the Greystones backs brought play deep into the ‘Gannon 22 from which the pack drove through a series of phases to grind their way to the line.

Higgins made the final drive from close range to touch down by the posts providing Kealy with a routine conversion.

With 30 minutes played Greystones doubled their lead when O’Brien reprised his break in the opening minutes with another fine solo run, side stepping the Dungannon defenders as he ran to the corner to touch down.

In difficult conditions Kealy’s conversion attempt drifted wide of the posts to leave the score 5 -15 at half time.

Greystones did not let up on the intensity of play in the second half. Dominating possession and territory they set up a series of phases inside the Dungannon 22 when Marmion broke clear from the back of a ruck to run in unopposed and once again Kealy added the points.

The bonus point try came five minutes later following another superb move by the Greystones back line with lock Adam Benson receiving the ball in the thirteen channel to show a clean pair of heels to run in to add his name to the scorers.

The fifth try is an early contender for try of the season for flying winger Ferdia Kenny making a welcome return to starting line up. Dungannon making a rare foray into the Greystones half chose to kick a penalty into the corner for a five metre lineout, but were forced into handling errors and turned the ball over. Greystones captain, Marmion moved the ball through a couple of pairs of quick hands to reach Kenny on his right wing just ten metres from his line but already moving at pace.

From there he put the afterburners on and nobody from a tiring Dungannon side could live with him as he side stepped attempted tackles and weaved his way clear to score under the posts for a complete end to end score.

Kealy added the conversion, one of six successful kicks for a personal haul of 13 points for the Greystones full back.

While Greystones introduced a number of replacements Dungannon mounted a concerted push for their visitors line and broke through for a consolation try ten minutes from time when Alex

Gourley finished from close range but this was soon cancelled out when O’Brien grabbed his second with another run in to the corner.

The win places Greystones back on top of the Energia All Ireland League Division 2B level on points but with a superior scoring average over Galway Corinthians with next week’s visitors to Dr Hickey Park, Blackrock in third a further two points in arrears.

With the league approaching the mid-point six clubs lie within five points of the lead and while nothing is won or lost at Christmas the back to back fixtures with Blackrock either side of the break are sure to have a major bearing on the final outcome.

Lewis will be as pleased with this result as he will be of the performance of the young players such as O’Brien, Ronan Mannion and Adam Benson to name just a few who have stepped up to first team action in recent games.

Next week’s home fixture with Blackrock is sure to attract a big crowd to Dr Hickey Park for what promise to be a festive cracker.