Wicklow People

Gutsy Arklow lose narrowly

Brave effort falls just short

- SECONDS CUP

ARKLOW RFC NEWBRIDGE RFC 13 15

THIS was possibly Arklow’s last match of the 2017/18 season and it was a season that was far too long with too many interrupti­ons from weather.

It was not possible to maintain any consistenc­y in play or players given the circumstan­ces.

Arklow played this match with determinat­ion and skill and were unlucky to lose by two points to a team from a higher division.

Matters got off to a bad start when their opponents turned up without any hooker, forcing the referee to play unconteste­d scrums which immediatel­y was to Arklow’s disadvanta­ge.

The home side started great with a super break by Ben Diaper from a Newbridge line out in the Arklow half.

Ben went all the way to the Newbridge try line and then after very good rucking by the Arklow pack they scored a hard earned try.

Arklow again were rewarded for the pressure on Newbridge with a penalty which was well struck to leave the home side leading by 8-0.

Newbridge hit a purple patch and had Arklow under pressure for a long period and scored a good try and conversion to be in arrears of a single point.

The pressure continued from Newbridge and they struck another penalty to now lead 10 points to Arklow’s eight points. So finished a very active first half.

A poor start by Arklow in the second half kept them under the hammer and Newbridge scored another converted try to stretch their lead to 15-8.

It took Arklow too long in this second half to get on top, but when they did they were very strong and attacked the Newbridge line and scored a good try and narrowly missed the conversion.

This game went all the way to the wire but Arklow had one hand tied behind as the home side would have had a competitiv­e scrum.

Arklow were penalised for having a full team and Newbridge were rewarded for turning up short a vital player on any rugby team.

This has been a tough year for Arklow in terms of results as they played in a challengin­g and tough league from Birr to Wexford, but in the end Arklow maintained their Division 2 status which was the most important for all at Arklow Rugby Club.

All who played for Arklow this season were top class and committed from start to finish.

Next season, Arklow must put some of the experience gained this season to good use.

Players know what needs to be worked on to accomplish success on the rugby pitch. Roll on next season.

John Louth, Cathal Louth (C), Eoin O Scannail, Danny Clear, Jack Joyce, John Furlong, Eamonn Quirke, Ben Diaper, Dean McCormack, Micheal O Scannail, Joni Butterwort­h, Richard Murphy, Leigh Horan, Shane McAllister, Jamie Ellis, Tom Scarfe, Conor Rochford, Rob McCormac, Peter Lynch, Eoin Donegan.

Arklow RFC:

Orlaith Holt, Arklow; Grace O’Connor, Arklow; Layla Cahill, Arklow; Fayne Kenny, Arklow. Darragh Reuben

4th: Under-11 Boys - 1st: 2nd:

Furlong, Arklow; Factor, Arklow.

Emily Hayes, Arklow; Zara Fennell, Arklow; Clodagh Shelton, Arklow; Emily Quinn, Baltinglas­s.

Jack Burke, Arklow: Gold medal winner in each age group go forward to national finals in Limerick.

Under-13 Girls - 1st: 2nd: 3rd: 4th: Under-13 Boys-11 - 1st: Swimming

The finals were held in Arklow Swimming Pool on Sunday afternoon.

The results were as follows: Alex

Boys U-8 Freestyle: 1st:

Miley, Westside.

Boys U-10 Freestyle: 1st:

James Mc Carney, Lakeside; 2nd; Des Brennan, BBKR; 3rd: Joey Dore, Lakeside; 4th: Cole Perri, BBKR.

Amy Noble, BBK/R; Mendoza, Arklow; Gray, Roundwood; McCormick, Enniskerry.

Danielle Lee, Arklow; Duffy, Lakeside; Roundwood:

3rd: Cross Country

Rebekah Abigail Niamh

Girls U14 Breaststro­ke: 1st: 2nd: 3rd:

Roisin Orla Fee,

Boys U-13 Squad: 1st: Girls U-16 Squad: 1st: Girls U-13 Squad: 1st: 2nd:

Enniskerry;

Arklow; Roundwood;

Arklow:

Gold medal winner in each group go forward to national finals in Limerick.

Arklow 96, Roundwood 86. Enniskerry;

Overall Team Points:

Cross Country Team events took place in Avondale on Monday night – the heavy rain did not deter these hardy participan­ts. Result as follows: Henry Doyle, Aug/ Anna; Ross O’Reilly, Aug/Anna; Ollie Behan, Ash/Glen.

Ella Harris, Ash/Glen; Clodagh Phelan, Rathdrum; Roisin Donelon, Roundwood. Felix Pelz, Roundwod; Harry Wrynn, Enniskerry; Will Phelan, Rathdrum; Zach Kavanagh, Roundwood; Simon Lynch, Ash/Glen.

Emily Behan, Lakeside; Sarah O’Reilly, Baltinglas­s; Anna O’Connor, Rathdrum; Grace Sheehy, Aug/Anna; Marina Bolton, Westside.

U-8 Boys 1st: 2nd: 3rd: U-8 Girls 1st: 2nd: 3rd: U-10 Boys 1st: 2nd: 3rd: 4th: 5th: U-10 Girls 1st: 2nd: 3rd: 4th: 5th: 5th: 4th: 3rd: 4th:

Fred Dick, Lakeside; Luke Wilson, Rathdrum; Joey Dore, Lakeside; Shane Harrigan, Westside; Toirse Scully, Westside. Saren Waters, Westside; Charlotte Doyle, Aug/ Anna; Emma Byrne, Rathdrum; Una McElhinney, Ash/Glen; Sarah Gillespie, Ash/Glen.

5th:

 ??  ?? Arklow claim this line out against Newbridge.
Arklow claim this line out against Newbridge.

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