Derby victors hit the summit
31 14
BOYNE Under-14s returned to winning ways on Sunday morning with this derby success that moves them into top spot in the North East League.
The Drogheda side were motivated from the start, and after a series of rucks the ball went wide to debutant Callum Sterio. From the half-way line he managed to evade three Skerries tackles to sprint free and touch down under the posts, with David Maxwell adding the extras.
Boyne were in control of the match and after controlling possession for a period Lee Grifferty handed off his tackler to touch down in the corner - 12-0.
Skerries began to settle into the game, but Boyne’s tackling was solid, and with the front row of Marc Maruhin, Benji McGrath and Oisin Lynch putting in a good shift Skerries could find no way through.
Some strong drives by David Hobbs, Luke Rochford, Evan Kelly and Elliot Lenahan helped set up platforms for Boyne and in the 22nd minute Eoin Cummins released Sean Horan who wrong-footed his would-be tackler to score under the posts, with Maxwell again adding the conversion.
The second period continued in a similar vain and five minutes into the half a Hobbs break brought Boyne close to the Skerries line. The forwards set up a good platform, with firstly Danny Little picking and driving for the line and then Grifferty following up to squeeze in for the hosts’ fourth touchdown.
Skerries pulled a try back shortly afterwards as they reverted to a kicking game with a strong wind at their backs. However, full back Caolan Nulty was very assured under the high ball for Boyne.
With five minutes remaining a Boyne scrum just inside the Skerries half produced a set play, from which Stefan Bors ran a great line to break the Skerries defence and touch down, with Maxwell adding the conversion.
Skerries scored again in the final minute as Boyne took their foot off the gas, but that didn’t take away from a good, solid team performance, with backs and forwards doing the simple things well and all 24 players making telling contributions.