Sligo RFC defeat Boyne.
ON a day when Rugby history was going to be made in Soldier Field, Chicago, Sligo created their own piece of history by earning their first Ulster Bank League win in Shamrock Lodge, Drogheda, with a determined performance against a dangerous Boyne outfit.
With only points difference separating the two teams in the league table prior to the match, a competitive battle was expected , and the watching faithful were not disappointed as the teams produced an intense but entertaining encounter.
On a crisp afternoon with a low winter sun Sligo kicked off at whirlwind pace and stunned their hosts with an excellent try after only two minutes.
A trademark Jamie Bowes burst through the centre placed Sligo in the Boyne 22 and fast ball allowed scrum half Ryan Feehily to release Michael Wells and the outhalf stepped inside the cover and forced his way over to open the scoring for his side. Conor Kerins converted to complete the perfect start for the visitors.
Boyne restarted and tried to put width on the ball to make inroads into Sligo territory. Sligo defended strongly through Daire Byrne, Mark Rooney and Aaron Spring and the pressure forced an error in the Boyne backline.
The ball went to ground and Feehily hacked it through and took off in pursuit. A second nudge forward saw the ball sit up nicely for the scrum half to collect and race towards the line.
The final wave of cover almost did enough to prevent the score but Feehily’s determination won out and Sligo were 12 points up with 5 minutes gone.
Boyne responded and began to put their combinations together to get back into the game.
A Niall Kerby penalty on 12 minutes opened the scoring for the locals before a well worked converted try from speedy full back Eoghan Duffy reduced the deficit to 2 points going into the interval.
The second half ebbed and flowed with both sides trying to unlock the others tight defence.
The Sligo scrum was solid with Bowes, Ross O’ Boyle and Mark Keegan putting in a great shift both at set piece and in open play. Ciaran Cassidy and Michael McMorrow formed a good second row partnership and Sligo’s back row of Diarmuid O’ Dowd- Hill, Simon Coulter and Captain Shane Boyle were hugely influential all over the park.
A Conor Kerins penalty with twenty minutes remaining pushed Sligo’s lead back out to 5 points but a tense finish was ensured when a Kerby penalty reduced the lead back to 2 with 15 left on the clock.
The locals upped the tempo to try and grasp the winning score and Sligo had to be at their best to keep them out.
An excellent O’Dowd- Hill lineout steal, a Feehily turnover on the ground and an excellent break out from Callum Goddard were vital to the Sligo defensive cause in the closing moments.
Sligo are now gaining momentum in their Ulster Bank League campaign and have moved up to fifth in the table.
Next Saturday sees the visit of Middleton RFC to Hamilton Park and Sligo will be looking to continue their rich vein of from. The match kicks off at 2.30
Sligo: Conor Kerins, Aaron Spring, Mark Rooney, Daire Byrne, Callum Goddard, Michael Wells, Ryan Feehily, Jamie Bowes, Ross O’Boyle, Mark Keegan, Michael McMorrow, Ciaran Cassidy, Simon Coulter, Diarmuid O’Dowd- Hill, Shane Boyle. Reps Thomas Gormley, Aaron Tansey, Gerard Keaney, Jake Sexton, Enda Gavin