A tough away loss for Sligo’s first XV
Energia AIL
Division 2B – Round One Belfast Harlequins 26 Sligo 9
GIVEN what happened on Saturday last in this season’s Energia AIL Division 2B opener, a 26-9 away loss to Belfast Harlequins, Sligo RFC’s first XV will wish for a much better outcome this Saturday when hosting Malahide.
The Dublin club will come to Strandhill’s Hamilton Park (kick-off 2.30pm) on the back of a 17-14 home win over Wanderers last weekend.
While Sligo’s next opponents were getting their season off to a bright start, Paddy Pearson’s charges were making hard work of their difficult assignment at Deramore Park. Despite leading by two points at half-time, 9-7, with all of their points having come from the boot of Euan Brown, who kicked three first-half penalties, Sligo were held scoreless in the second period. Along with a better showing from Harlequins, who were backed by the breeze, a key decision went in favour of the hosts in the 55th minute.
A Harlequins scrum on the 10-metre line obviously put Sligo under pressure. After they seemingly had repelled their opponents’ shove, the referee award a penalty try. Sligo had their attacking moments. A surge from
Rob Holian was halted by Harlequins, with the try-line beckoning, and the important second row was then forced off with an ankle injury.
The winners scored four tries in all, three of these in the second-half.
Connacht Academy player Hubert Gilvarry went close to getting a consolation try for a battling Sligo in the game’s closing stages.