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Visitors in complete control

A WATERY winter warm sun did add a little brightness to this game.

Arklow were the far fitter and a more attacking side, had almost 80% of all the possession from scrums, and their own lineouts.

Arklow’s pack gave their backs loads of ball and the backs attacked on all fronts and were soon ahead having pounced on a loose ball from a Portarlington line out at the home side’s own try line.

Quick reaction saw the Arklow player first to react and score the first try in the corner.

The conversion was difficult and did not cross the bar. Five minutes gone, Arklow were 5-0 ahead.

Arklow continued in the energetic mode, running at their opponent’s backs and in another five minutes added a further try after a great break by the Arklow thirteen and finished off by the number eleven winger. Again the conversion was missed. Arklow 10-0.

It took Arklow until the 35th minute to score again.

Arklow won ball aplenty again the good finish was the centre thirteen and the winger eleven.

During this period Arklow seemed to be too anxious to score and constantly knocked on and lost the ball on too many occasions or chose the wrong option.