Grammar beat Summerhill

SUMMERHILL COLLEGE 6 SLIGO GRAMMAR SCHOOL 7 By EMMA GALLAGHER

THE Summerhill and Grammar rugby rivalry was without its usual spectator noise and banter for this Senior League opener on Wednesday.

With a later time of 4pm, the supporters were down in number but all the same the determination to get the bragging rights was still very much there right until the end. It was hosts Summerhill who led for most of the game, two penalties in the first half saw the scoreline remain at 6-0 until the last minute.

It was a last gap try from the dogged Grammar players, followed by a Seamus Blackwell conversion that sealed the narrowest of victories for the Grammar school. In scattered showery conditions, Summerhill were exuding more dominance in the early stages but they couldn’t get past the strong Grammar defence.

Brian Cox was driving forward for Summerhill and it was the vice captain who put Ross O’Boyle’s charges into a 6-0 lead, after a trip by a Grammar player didn’t go unnoticed by referee Gavin Foley.

The score was still 6-0 at the break in favour of the hosts and the second half saw more intensity from both sides. Cox sent a brilliant ball around the Grammar defence and the visitors then did well to collect on the line and get out of danger.

James McDonough was hardworking for Grammar, while Summerhill full-back and captain Hugh Kisby was exceptional, with some fantastic catches and covering immense ground. There was far more Grammar pressure towards the end of the game and Summerhill’s defence initially stood firm with little or no way through. But the Grammar forwards kept pressing and their determination was paid off when the try finally came as it was heartbreak for Summerhill.

SUMMERHILL:B Flanagan, J O’Carroll, B Smyth, C Cummins, M Flanagan, G Golden, C Carty, D Byrne, D McElhinney, B Cox, R Solano, L Hogge, K Connell, S Chambers, H Kisby (C). Reps: B O’Hara, D Feeney.

SLIGO GRAMMAR SCHOOL: B Geary, M Earley, L Delvalle, P Murphy, T Anderson, R Weaver, B West, J Kearns (C), A Ward, J McDonough, J Conway, W Whelan, S Blackwell, M Harte, M Archer.

REFEREE: Gavin Foley.

Hugh Kisby defends an attack from Sligo Grammar. Pics: Donal Hackett.

The Grammar pressure intensifies.

Both sides were evenly matched in the game at Summerhill.

Brian Cox goes on the attack for Summerhill College.

Jason Lawson Kearns of Sligo Grammar School.

A late try sealed the win for Sligo Grammar School.

Summerhill on the attack.

Summerhill in possession.

Caoileann Carty, Summerhill College.