Superb Arklow avoid the drop
ARKLOW BIRR 36 8
WHEN push comes to shove the team that puts its heart and soul into the match generally comes out best.
So it was with Arklow RFC today when Arklow needed a bonus point win, that’s exactly what they achieved.
This game did not exactly start well for Arklow when they conceded an easy penalty to Birr for coming in on the side to gift Birr a handy three points. That was the end of Arklow’s generosity.
From there Arklow went into the Birr 22 and hammered their way towards the Birr try line crossing the line plus adding the conversion to gain the lead which they maintained for the match, Arklow 7 points Birr 3 points.
Arklow continued to keep the pressure on the Birr 22 and were rewarded with another try which was not converted but increasing Arklow’s lead to 12 points to 3.
With 25 minutes gone Arklow were pushing Birr from all points on the pitch. Richard Murphy made a telling break in the centre of the field to create but failed to capitalise on the advantage.
Arklow were making sure Birr did not get into any threatening areas. After a good period of pressure in the last minutes of the first half Arklow scored a well-worked try after good mauling by the pack and a fine individual finish by Arklow’s number 8 Eamon Quirke. The conversion was missed.
All looked good for Arklow, with three tries and a bonus point needed Arklow looked confident of achieving all points.
Half-time reached and Arklow ahead 17 points to 3.
The second-half started with Arklow crossing the try line after six minutes to confirm a bonus point for scoring four tries. The score now read Arklow 22, Birr 3 points.
Arklow now decided to replace some of their players and the personnel who came on added to the overall superiority and increased their stranglehold on this game.
Arklow quickly scored another try from their dominance. Arklow now 22 points to Birr 3 points.
Arklow continued to keep the pressure on Birr prodding and poking for any weakness, after a maul from a lineout in the Birr 22 Arklow crossed under the posts.
The conversion was a formality, making it 29-3. As this game progressed Arklow tried a little too much to score more tries as the game was in the bag.
Birr managed to kick ahead into Arklow’s 22 and from the ensuing rucks and mauls by Birr they scored a good try out on the wing.
The conversion was difficult and missed. The score was now Arklow 29 points to Birr’s 8 points.
A final flourish by Arklow saw Ben Diaper score under the posts after a great maul by the Arklow pack, the conversion was simple. Arklow now 36 points Birr 8 points, The game now ran out with no further scores.
Arklow played all of this game as though their rugby lives depended on this game.
With the starting attitude by Arklow there never was a chance that they would lose this important fixture.
Every player who donned the Arklow jersey played exceptionally well, still the job of winning, and securing the bonus point needed Arklow players to do everything and give their all for the red and black. Had they played like this for the whole season they would have won this league by the half way turnaround; all who contributed to this important were brave and full of spirit, which augers well for the future of Arklow RFC.
This has been a very tough league and season but all Arklow players who took the field gave all that was need, and Arklow have maintained the Division 2B status this season having being promoted only two seasons ago.
There could be many players who could claim man of the match but realistically all the players who played for Arklow this season and in particular the vital game are all heroes for Arklow Rugby Club.
Next year is full of promise. A final look back at the season one player kept encouraging and leading all players throughout the season was the captain Cathal (Charlie) Louth who follows in a long line of Arklow Rugby Club stalwarts.
He led by example and got the best from all who played for Arklow this season. Thanks to all the players who played for the Arklow club this year, no matter how big or small their contribution it all counted to the success of the team.
A special thanks to head coach Eric Miller and team manager Eddy Tobin, who both put in a tremendous commitment for the whole season culminating in keeping Arklow in this division.
At least one further game left for Arklow next Saturday at 4 p.m., playing Newbridge in the P.T. Plate in Arklow. Make sure and get to see this game as it promises to be a competitive game.