Vital victory for Arklow

MIDLAND WARRIORS ARKLOW RFC 21 26

ARKLOW continued with their good form from the last match at home to a good away win in Moate last weekend.

This was a well-earned victory with a four-try bonus point into the bargain.

Arklow had to work hard for this win as the home side was positioned behind Arklow in the league table. Midlands opted to play with a strong wind it the first period, and quickly kicked the ball deep into the Arklow half.

The visitors did not start this game at full throttle and Midlands gained a foothold in Arklow territory then from an innocent looking kick ahead that bounced very badly for the Arklow winger and the Warrior player following up his kick got the first touch on the ball. The kick for two extra points was good. Three minutes gone and Arklow were seven points down.

From this bad start Arklow then set about their opponents and clinically worked their way into the home side’s half. Due to continuing pressure by Arklow team they were awarded a penalty which was nicely placed at the Warriors five-meter line.

From the ensuing line out and a clever ploy from this line out, Richard Murphy peeled around the front of the line and before being tackled released the ball to team captain Charlie Louth who crossed the try line right in the corner for a very valuable five points. The conversion was too difficult.

Now Arklow were up and running in this game. Midland Warriors were using the strong wind to keep Arklow back in their own 22 area but Arklow withstood the siege but were forced to concede two further kickable penalties which brought Warriors ahead by 13-5.

Arklow again worked their way right into the home side’s 22-meter area and were pressuring the try line. Eventually, Arklow crossed the line for a good score and the conversion was good. Approaching the half-time, the score was 1312, but were dominating play and now looked more confidant and likely to overcome the home side.

From the starting gun in the second period Arklow took the Warriors kick off cleanly and set about working their way into enemy territory with good rucking and mauling and astute kicking using the wind.

Five minutes into the second half, Richard Murphy finished off a great scrum by crossing the line for another try for Arklow and, again, the conversion was well taken.

Arklow now stood at 19-13 and they squeezed the try line more and more as this game continued to go their way. With some further line pressure and dominance in their scrum, Richard Murphy again finished off a great scrum with a push over try and again the conversion was well taken.

Arklow were now 26-16 in front and most importantly a four-try bonus point was just reward for the visitors.

Towards the finish the home side started attacking Arklow continuously as Arklow eased the pace and conceded too many penalties, one of which took Warriors into Arklow’s 22.

They played the ball across their backline a number of times and scored midway between the upright and the corner flag. The conversion went astray and there was some fire still left in the Warriors side and the score reflected this.

Some Arklow back chat to the referee brought the home team within kickable penalty range so rather than kick for the corner Warriors opted for the penalty from which they secured a losing bonus point which secured their league position for this season.

Trying to name the player or players of this game is difficult because the whole Arklow panel would qualify for the Man of the Match award.

Arklow have one remaining Leinster League game this season, and this league all boils down this final home game.

Balbriggan will be Arklow’s opponents for a promotion place. The final league placing cannot be decided until this game is won or lost by Arklow.

So, the future of the season hangs in the balance until the final whistle of this season. It is fitting position for Arklow to be in the mix as they have played really well, especially in the latter half of the season.

Arklow go into this game with confidence in their own abilities having beaten Balbriggan away earlier. This away win means nothing if Arklow do not finish the job at home. Winning away only proves that it can be done, and it will have no bearing on the outcome of Balbriggan at home. Commitment and team spirit are the only ingredients that count.