Boyne hopes still in balance after win

yielding an inch until the Boyne backs created an opening initiated by their ever-improving scrum half Nicky Smith.

The ball was swung out wide and the ever-alert McCleery was the receiver of the scoring pass to cross for the first score of the game in the 27th minute. Niall Kerbey obliged with the extra points to put Boyne seven points in front.

Seapoint did reduce the arrears before half-time with two penalties, however, and so Boyne took the slenderest of leads - 7-6 - into the second half.

This proved to be a nail-biting affair for the faithful Boyne supporters who had to endure many nervous moments in a tense encounter before winger McCleery struck again for another vital score on the hour mark.

Once again the Boyne backs seized an opportunity to break out from the midfield stalemate and create another scoring chance. Kerbey’s conversion struck the post to leave the scoreboard reading 12-6.

Boyne’s defence was heroic during the last quarter - epitomized by a try-saving tackle from prop Hugh Carolan in the dying moments when he stopped a dangerous move with a crunching tackle which lifted his teammates and the supporters.

The resolve of the whole squad is admirable and the front row trio of John Kinsella, George Cooney and Carolan set the example with their workrate and doggedness in the set pieces.

Behind them, Richard Shuttleworth is having his best season in a Boyne jersey and his second row partner Declan Moore is ever consistent despite playing out of position.

The back row has been greatly improved with the guile and craft of dual player Lambe who has shown his experience and receives great support from Ben Dunphy and Rory Hennessy.

Kerbey’s strength and kicking is an all-important asset to the side and the development of his young half back partner Smith is another improving element in the team.

Centre Brian Howell is now one of the most experienced members of the team and he has displayed all of his excellent defensive qualities in the last two games.

This was an excellent win for the Boyne side who managed to haul themselves off the bottom of the table with the victory, but at the same time their hopes of finishing above the bottom two - and therefore completely free of relegation worries - was dealt a blow by Bangor’s last-gasp win over Midleton.

This coming Saturday’s it’s third-placed Rainey’s turn to come to Shamrock Lodge and Boyne will be targeting a third consecutive victory to keep them ahead of bottom club Kanturk going into the final weekend of the season.