Massive win for Arklow Home win sees Oval men go top of the table

at the Oval

started to pressurise the Athy try-line after a series of good attacks by all the Arklow back line. Arklow speedy winger Billy Slater crossed in the corner but the two points were elusive, Arklow 15, Athy 10.

The game seesawed back and forth for both sides but long kicks by Athy kept Arklow back in the danger zone. Athy again came at Arklow and scored a good try after battering at their Arklow line they then added the conversion to lead 17 to 15.

A lip-twitching last five minutes were guaranteed. Arklow manfully tackled the ball receiver from the restart and earned a penalty about 30 meters out and to the right of the uprights. Shane Nalty kept cool and slotted over the bar. Arklow 18, Athy 17.

A nose-bleeding last three minutes was promised. Arklow did not hesitate to tackle any Athy player who came into range so Arklow held on to the slimmest of margins to win by a solitary point. Athy pounded the Arklow line but Arklow were resilient and did not miss any tackles. Arklow all round game was good in both attack and defense.

Arklow’s home advantage had a big bearing on the outcome of this game.

Individually, all the Arklow team put in good 80 minutes. Arklow must improve their game management and use of the boot a bit more is a valid way to make ground. This is a very dog eat dog league. No assumptions should be drawn from our league position. There’s a long league ahead, but kudos for this win.

Arklow RFC: 1. Tadgh O Scannaill, 2. Eoin O Scannail, 3. Anthony O’Donnell,

4. Luke Bulmer, 5. Joe Bulmer, 6. John Furlong, 7. Tom Scarff, 8. Ben Kavanagh, 9. James Stenning, 10. Paddy Ryan, 11. David Mulrooney, 12. Joni Butterworth, 13. Paddy Phelan, 14. Shane McAllister, .15. Shane Nalty. Replaacements: 16. Ben Diaper (C),

17. Conor Kinsella, 18. Gavin Cox, 19. Tim Byrne, 20. Billy Slater.

Wicklow at 1pm, Foulkstown

Sunday, December 1 Leinster League Division 2B:

2.30pm, The Oval.

Metro League Division 2:

Greystones v Old Wesley at 2pm, Dr Hickey Park

Rathdrum v Naas at

Metro League Division 4:

2pm, Ivy Leaf Grounds

Women Leinster League Division 1:

Wicklow v Edenderry at 1pm, Ashtown Lane

Por t Dara Falcons v Rathdrum at 1pm, Beechpark

Garda/Westmanstown v Greystones at 1pm, Westmanstown; Gorey v Arklow at 1pm, Clonattin

Leinster League Division 2: Leinster League Division 3: Schools Wednesday, November 27 Senior League Division 1A play-off:

Wesley College v St Gerards School at 2.30pm St Fintan’s High School v Temple Carrig at 2.30pm, Clontarf Presentation College Bray v Newbridge College at 2pm in Energia Park, Donnybrook

(Girls)

Senior League Division 1B: Junior League Division 1A play-offs: Youths Saturday, November 30 Leinster 18s Girls Division 2:

at noon, Dr Hickey Park

Leinster 18s Girls Division 3:

v ARGO, at noon, Terenure

ARGO v Athy at noon,

Leinster 18s Shield:

Arklow

South East 18s League Section A:

Co Carlow, at noon, Ashtown Lane Arklow v Por tarlington,

Leinster U16 Youth Premier:

at noon, Arklow

Leinster U16 Girls Division 1:

Greystones v Wicklow, at noon, Dr Hickey Park

Arklow v Tullamore,

Leinster U16 Girls Division 2:

at noon, The Oval.

Greystones v Birr

Terenure College

Wicklow v