Arklow hold out for win in Div. 2B league opener

Division 2B

It was only when Arklow gave away a penalty that the visitors were rewarded on the scoreboard to make it 10-7.

These were two well matched teams and it was Arklow’s turn to now put on the pressure in attack. Arklow were unlucky not to cross the line again when they were narrowly forced into touch by some good cover defence.

The home side kept the pressure on with a penalty from Dean McCormack to make it 10-10. Arklow were enjoying a good spell now and the hard work was rewarded when man of the match Kieran McCarthy took a direct line and several defenders with him to crash over at the base of the posts.

McCormack converted to make it 17-10 going into the break.

Ardee had a stroke of luck plus some great awareness from their wing when an awkward bounce caught out Arklow’s last man from an ambitious high kick and the ball hopped perfectly into the oncoming players hands for him to sprint and finish under the posts.

Ardee converted to level the game once again. 17-17. Arklow now showed why they were champions last year and dominated the next 20 minutes to work their way up to the Ardee line.

The home side were not coming away without any points from this attack and after battering at the line but not getting over, the ball was moved wide and Shane McAllister came off his wing to pick from the back of a ruck and stretch for the line to score.

The difficult conversion was ruled to be wide by the referee against both touch judges who raised their flags to leave Arklow with a five point lead 22-17.

The visitors, knowing they only needed one score to level the game, now came at Arklow with everything they had for the final five minutes and were almost over the line twice only for some great last-ditch defence by the Arklow men.

Gavin Cox and Danny Clear combined to prevent a try in the corner and moments later Kieran McCarthy just managed to tackle the Ardee wing into touch before he could touch down to secure the draw and possibly the win.

This was a much improved performance from Arklow after a dissapointing show in their South East games.

The passion was back in this team and their defence was solid when tested. The pack also had a good day at the office with two scrums being taken against the head. Arklow travel to Birr next week with a 3pm k.o. Anybody who wants to give rugby a try just drop out to training on Wednesdays and Fridays at 7.30pm.