Arklow RFC pip Gorey to secure final berth
Arklow through to decider
ARKLOW RFC 27 GOREY RFC 21
THOSE who came to Arklow rugby club last Saturday were treated to a great South East Shield semi-final between two local rivals.
Arklow started the game with great intensity, tackling anything that moved.
This early pressure resulted in a great try by winger Calvin Kirya who scored under the posts with less than five minutes gone and converted by Connor Gahn.
Arklow kept this pressure on for the majority of the first half. They came close on a couple of occasion but just fell short of the line. With the game edging towards the break, Gorey went on an attack and managed to break through the Arklow defence which resulted in a converted try to draw the game level.
Arklow upped the intensity for the last few minutes of the half resulting in a rushed clearance that was capitalised on by winger Harry Stevens who managed to squirm and drive his way over the line with Gorey players all around him. This left the half-time score 12-7 to Arklow.
Arklow started off the second half much like the first by getting on the board very quickly with a well worked try which was scored by centre Oisin Beirne.
Arklow kept this pressure on and scored another fine try this time scored by Roan Frehill.
This was followed by an exquisite try to the delight of the home crowd, Calvin Kirya again gathered the ball on his own 22 before running the length of the field using his pace and stepping. He mesmerised the whole Gorey defence and left them in his wake scoring a length-of-the-field try.
Gorey got two quick-fire tries in response to make a game of this semi-final but the clock and Arklow’s stubborn defence towards the end of the game held off a proud Gorey side.
Arklow now face Carlow in the final later this season.