Second loss on the trot

ARKLOW ATHY

start and attacked Athy’s line early on. Despite missing a kickable opportunity, they responded perfectly to an Athy penalty when brilliant hands by the front row saw hooker Eoin Ó Scannáil link up brilliantly with Ben Byrne Diaper who scored out wide to get Arklow off the mark.

Brother of the hooker, Mícheál Ó Scannáil converted the try and a following penalty and the home side were a seven points ahead with only a quarter of the game elapsed. That proved Arklow’s last addition to the scoreboard however.

A penalty-miss after half-anhour wasted an opportunity to stretch the lead to two scores and an overcooked kick to the corner in the dying moments of the first 40 gave the visitors an escape route from what seemed a certain try.

While Athy finished the game out with three penalties under the posts, owning to a complete inferiority at ruck-time on Arklow’s part, the killer blow came in the second half when a turnover at a ruck inside Athy’s ten metre line left Arklow’s defence scrambling.

Athy pinned Arklow back with clever swiping cross-field balls and box kicks all day and after turning the home side’s pack over they kicked behind the flat defensive line. The bobbling box kick took the perfect bounce for the visitors and although Arklow led the chase back, a slip by their leading charge gave Athy the advantage in the chase and the eventual try.

Athy just had to hold on after that. Arklow’s scrum and lineout, which reigned supreme all game continued to force pressure on their opponents but every entry into the green zone ended with turnovers at the ruck and Athy were able to clear their lines.

A returning Johnny Butterworth epitomised what Arklow’s season has been based on up to the last fortnight. His hard work and skilful performance provided opportunities for Arklow but white-linefever prevented them from taking advantage.

Arklow now travel to a winless Portarlington in two-weeks-time when they look to recover from their fourth position in the league.

They currently sit five points adrift of current leaders, and last-week’s fortunate defeaters, Edenderry.