SUPER ’STONES WIN Baker makes his mark on first start for Lewis’s men
Division 2A
men back down the M1 motorway with the points and already planning for the rematch next Saturday at Dr Hickey Park.
Indeed, Greystones were never behind on the score board after Kealy opened the scoring with a penalty following an opening 15-minute spell dominated by the visitors.
A tactical change by Kevin Lewis who shuffled his deck with changes to the backline, saw Jack Keating move in from his wing to occupy the number 13 jersey, young Matt O’Brien move from full-back on to the wing allowing Baker to take the number 15 slot. Keating revelled in this unfamiliar position making some significant territory gains while standing up strong in defence but Lewis will be equally pleased by the improved performance of the pack who aggressively rucked Queens off the ball and never allowed them space to get any rhythm going.
These changes provided the template for the opening Greystones try.
Keating, standing back in defence, Rathdrum’s Patricia Byrne on the rampage against Athy at the Ivy Leaf last weekend. Photos: Noel McMullen took the ball just outside his 22 and used his strength to fend off a series of attempted tackles dragging the Queens defenders with him as he made ground all the way to the opposing 10-meter line. The forwards then played their part with big holes punched by Mikey Doyle who neatly passed to Eoin Marmion whose quick hands found Paudie Geoghegan on his wing skipping around two defenders and reaching out to touch down close to the corner flag as a third tried in vain to pull him back. Kealy made light work of the touchline conversion.
This ten-point lead was not to last long as Queens countered almost from the restart and caught Greystones cold when wing Dillon slipped a couple of tackles to race under the posts, gifting seven points from their first serious foray into Greystones territory and leaving the scoreline 10–7 in the visitors favour at half-time.
That score could have been turned in the home sides favour had their Ulster Academy outhalf Jonny Creighton had his kicking boots on. Greystones were guilty of coughing up a slew of penalties but these goal kicking opportunities were missed while other scoring opportunities were passed up in favour of a lineout that failed to deliver any return as Greystones dominated the set piece all afternoon.
The second half at Dub Lane was lit up by some Geoghegan magic long before the floodlights were switched on. Like many in this Greystones squad, Paudie Geoghegan’s season has been disrupted by injury from the outset and Greystones supporters will be delighted to see him back fit and at his try scoring best.
Gathering the ball in his 22 following a clearing kick down field by the Queens full-back he turned on the after burners attacking from deep and splitting the defenders before kicking ahead and beating four retreating Queens players to re-gather and run in under the posts. Kealy added the points to restore the 10-point advantage.
The high penalty count from the first half was to come back and bite Greystones when they continued to infringe in the second and the referee resorted to issuing yellow cards. Down to 14 men Greystones were stretched in defence and Queens back row Ali Burke touched down in the corner. Andrew Kealy extended the visitors advantage with his second Penalty before Queens set up a nervy final ten minutes with their third try when once again Greystones had a man in the sin bin before David Baker wrapped things up close to the final whistle.
Robin O’Sullivan, making a welcome return from injury, had a huge impact on the game and started the move, taking the ball from the base of a scrum and powering his way forward making 20 meters into the Queens’ half.
Conor Pearse, another who had a big game, took on the charge making further gains before the ball was fed to replacement wing Ferdia Kenny who kicked ahead for Baker to gather the ball to score. Once again Kealy added the finishing touches to deny a losing bonus point to the hosts.
Kevin Lewis was delighted and relieved after the result.
“It was great to see the team bounce back so positively from the Malone defeat and the positive energy shown by the players was obvious and heartening. Queens failed to put away some kickable penalties and we will have to make sure we don’t give away the same chances if we are to win again next week,” he said.
With the three sides above ‘Stones all losing it is really bunching up around the lower half of the table. A win next week could mean a rise of two more places if results elsewhere go their way and a much more positive outlook to the league table come the new year.
Greystones: David Baker, Matt O’Brien, Jack Keating, Craig Hazelton, Paudie Geoghegan, Andrew Kealy (Capt) Andy Roberts, Bobby Clancy, Ben Tou, Conor Pearce, Michael Douglas, Barry Fitzpatrick, Cormac O’Donoghue, Eoin Marmion, Mick Doyle. Replacements: Robin O’Sullivan, Antonio Barahona, Shane Mulvaney, Jason Curran, Ferdia Kenny