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Energia All-Ireland League Division 2B - Round 2
Sligo RFC
Malahide RFC
O18 11
BVIOUSLY disappointed with how things went away to Belfast Harlequins on the Saturday before last – a 26-9 loss – Sligo RFC’s first XV reacted positively to chalk up a win in their first home game of this season’s Energia All-Ireland League.
Last Saturday’s 18-11 victory against Malahide at Hamilton Park was the result of an overall good performance, especially the defensive work from Sligo’s forwards.
Tries from Brian West, who scored in the firsthalf, and Calum Goddard, who touched down in the second period, were the key scores for Sligo in this Division 2B fixture, with realiable kicker Euan Brown landing one conversion and two successful penalties.
Sligo, who were able to select their two Connacht Rugby Academy players, Donnacha Byrne and Hubert Gilvarry, never trailed in this game and had a 7-0 advantage at the break. The closest Malahide got was in the 10 minutes after the restart when a brace of penalties brought the margin down to a point, 7-6, but Sligo reacted by establishing an 18-6 advantage. A late try from Malahide – which went unconverted – came too late to alter the outcome. Sligo’s first try – scored in the 10th minute – came from Brian West, who finished off good work in the maul by Kuba Wojtkowicz and Jason East. The move initially involved Brendan Cunningham and Finn Bamber.
Euan Brown’s conversion gave Sligo a 7-0 advantage, one that they held for the remainder of the first-half.
Two penalties from Malahide cut Sligo’s lead to a single point with 47 minutes played, but a second try from the home side set up the win. Hubert Gilvarry made dangerous inroads into Malahide territory and he provided the pass for Calum Goddard, who went over for a five-pointer with 20 minutes remaining. A couple of penalties from Euan Brown then extended Sligo’s lead and they were on their way to a victorious afternoon.
This result will lift Sligo, who are at home for a second successive fixture this Saturday – they host Rainey Old Boys (Hamilton Park, 2.30pm).
The Magherafelt club have lost their two opening games – a 34-33 away defeat to Galway Corinthians in round one and last Saturday’s 25-21 home defeat at the hands of Belfast Harlequins.
Sligo RFC First XV (v Malahide): Calum Goddard (1 try), Hubert Gilvarry, Finn Bamber, Enda Gavin, Darragh Feehily, Euan Brown (2 pens, 1 con), Brendan Cunningham, Kuba Wojtkowicz, Matthew Earley, Jason East
(c), Rob Holian, Jake Sexton, Daire Byrne, Brian West (1 try), Donnacha Byrne Replacements: Shane O’Hehir, Craig
Trimble, Michael McMorrow, Ross Hickey,
Ken Pearson