Bonus-point win for ’Drum in Stillorgan
Two victories on the trot
RATHDRUM RFC STILLORGAN 29 5
RATHDRUM made it back to back wins for the first time this season as they secured a bonus point win away to Stillorgan in this Metro League Division 4 game.
Tries from Sean Kinsella, Calvin Swords, Conor Parsons and Matt Binnions did the damage for the Rathdrum side and Parsons added four conversions and a penalty.
This was a full squad effort from Neil Short’s side and in the end Rathdrum proved too strong for Stillorgan who are a place above Rathdrum in the league table.
The first try came within 15 minutes after strong carrying from the Rathdrum pack with Noelie Cross, Dean Franey and Ronan Smith to the fore.
With the Stillorgan line in sight, the ball was passed out to Parsons who found Kinsella running a great line inside to go over from 10 metres out.
The conversion was added to leave the score 7-0 to visiting Rathdrum.
More pressure from the restart allowed Rathdrum to get back in to try scoring range once again and the forwards were making the hard yards in difficult conditions underfoot.
Calvin Swords ran hard from five metres out and crashed over like a tank to score his second try of the season.
Parsons converted for a 14-0 scoreline.
A Parsons penalty five minutes later brought the score to 17-0 with ten minutes to play in the half and it looked like it would be a good day for the away side but Stillorgan upped the intensity for the final minutes of the half and were unlucky not to score after big carries from their forwards.
Rathdrum’s defense stood strong however and kept them at bay to keep them scoreless in the first half. 17-0 to Rathdrum at halftime.
Stillorgan started stronger in the second half and again used their big forwards to get over the gain line with big carries, notably their captain in the second-row.
The home side got their just rewards when they got in to the Rathdrum ’22.
The ball was moved out wide to their winger to finish superbly in the corner for their only score of the game.
The conversion was missed and Rathdrum held the advantage at 17-5.
The game was very stop-start due to the very heavy pitch, but to each teams credit they both attempted to keep the ball moving despite the conditions.
Rathdrum used their kicking game to pin Stillorgan deep in their half throughout the second period and they were able to force turnovers with strong defence from David Burke and Aonhus O’Bhrian in the centres.
Off an attacking 5 metre scrum, scrum half Steven Dowling picked and passed wide to Parsons who broke one tackle to finish in the corner.
Parsons hit the post with the conversion but now Rathdrum had a much needed bonus point on their mind.
With Danny Dowling carrying strong all day, Rathdrum again got themselves back in try scoring range.
With Liam De Hora making a nuisance of himself at the breakdown and Danny Tuke and Henry Bradshaw making an impact from the bench, it was a forced turnover from Tuke that allowed Matt Binnions to pick up a loose ball and dive over the line for Rathdrum’s fourth try.
Parsons converted with the last kick of the game to bring the final score to 29-5 to Rathdrum.
Rathdrum now travel to Tullow in the second round of the Provincial Seconds Towns Cup on Sunday, February 25.
Rathdrum will know from years gone by that a victory is always hard earned in Tullow but will travel with confidence after their recent results.
Also; congratulations to our women’s team who have qualified for the Division 1 playoffs on March 4.
Rathdrum: Ronan Smith, Noel Cross, Dean Franey, Matt Binnions, Shane Burch, Liam De Hora, Calvin Swords, Danny Dowling, Steven Dowling, Conor Parsons, Denis Heffernan, David Burke, Aonghus O’Bhrian, Fiach O’Toole, Sean Kinsella, Danny Tuke, Henry Bradshaw, Ray Cooke.