Narrow loss for Arklow ahead of tough trip to Birr

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THIS game and this season is being played out in the midst of a countrywide pandemic, so that while Arklow will win and lose games it’s not the be all and end all of Arklow rugby.

Both Arklow and Roscrea, and their officials, plus the referee, and the Leinster Branch are to be commended for keeping rugby to the fore for the coming difficult season.

This was Arklow’s first Leinster League game of the new season since Covid-19 finished last season’s games early. The weather was dreadful with wind, and heavy rains throughout the game.

This was not the reason Arklow lost but it did prevent Arklow’s their normal quick passing game. Roscrea made sure this was going to be a ruck and maul fest. Arklow were playing against a strong breeze for the first half.

For the first ten minutes Roscrea kept Arklow pinned in their own 22 with maul after maul and the pressure forced Arklow to concede a soft penalty under the posts. Roscrea didn’t miss. It was probably worth the three points, as it allowed Arklow out of their own danger area.

The away side added to the points difference when after a series of scrums the Roscrea number 8 crossed the Arklow line, and the conversion was missed. Now Arklow were facing an eightpoint deficit.

The home side were making too many handling errors, and poor execution in general were the cause of Arklow’s performance.

At the 30-minute mark, Arklow were coming more and more into this game and a series of penalties saw them earn a penalty in front of the posts, which was dispatched well by Shane Nalty. Now, the score read Arklow 3, Roscrea 8 and the home side were holding their own right up to half-time.

Arklow had the benefit of the wind in the second half, and a great kick off which was long, deep, and diagonal brought play right into the Roscrea 22. Bit by bit Arklow started to pick off penalties, scoring four in quick succession. The score was now Arklow 15 points to Roscrea’s eight points.

Arklow never left the opponents half until the 75th minute, and due to some careless Arklow handling allowed Roscrea in for a converted try. Now 15 points apiece.

The last few minutes were going to be nervous for all. A further attack by Roscrea in the final minute of the game they were awarded a difficult enough kick which went over after deflecting from the upright.

Due to an injury to an Arklow forward the game was held up for about five minutes. There was enough time for Arklow to go deep into the Roscrea 22 and win two quick penalties, the first of which was difficult and Arklow correctly took a quick tap.

The second was kickable and as Shane Nalty was in great kicking form the choice should have been an attempt at posts. The option to run both was wrong and the draw would have given Arklow an extra point.

This is a new Arklow side with many new young faces and these players were right up there with all the play. Arklow should have at least drawn this game which would have been a reasonable start to the year.

Next week they are away to Birr who trashed Arklow last season. So Arklow must lead from the front next week and use whatever weather conditions prevail during this game.

Arklow must get something out of this game after such a long journey. Covid-19 permitting. Adam Slater received a leg injury so hopefully he will recover quickly as he had a great game. ARKLOW: 1. Gavin Cox, 2. Peter Lynch,

3. John Louth, 4. Adam Slater, 5. Ben Harper, 6. Eamonn Quirke, 7. Tom Scarfe,

8. Richard Murphy, 9. Hugh O’Brien, 10. Paddy Ryan, 11. Daran Haarer, 12. Dean McCormack, 13. Paddy Phelan, 14. Billy Slater, 15. Shane Nalty. Replacements:

16. Anto O’Donnell, 17. Paddy Brennan,

18. Ben Kavanagh, 19. Conor Rochford,

20. James Lambert.