ARKLOW RUN AMOK
Bonus-point win helps close the gap on leaders to four
THIS scoreline from this Leinster League Division 3 game flatters Arklow RFC a little. While the home side were on song throughout this whole match, the visitors were unlucky on a few occasions not to score.
Arklow took to the field with all guns blazing and within five minutes had scored under the posts and the conversion was good. It took the home side some time to score again and after 20 minutes of very good play Arklow scored again, this time in the corner.
There was no conversion so now Arklow were twelve points to the good and hungry for ball. Arklow continued with pressuring the visitors, and up until half-time put a further two tries on the away side.
Approaching the half-time mark and Dave Chapman’s side had a four-try bonus point secured. This was the most important score as to be in the shake-up at the end of this season Arklow needed a bonus-point plus the win points.
The second half continued in the same vein as the end of the first half with Arklow continuing with their suffocating pressure on the visitors.
Portarlington tried their best to get some traction and probed Arklow defences but the home side were not giving away any soft scores. The visitors were tired of having to defend so much and for long periods, but the home side were in full flight and ran in another five tries before the end of this one-sided game.
Nine tries and five conversions from Arklow which flatters the home side a little. The final tally was Arklow 55 points and Portarlington nil.
But in order for Arklow to be in the final mix at the business end of this league they needed this win plus the bonus point. This would help deciding their final league position with just two league matches remaining.
Arklow had many finishers in this game. Scores were well made
and well taken by many Arklow players but in the end, rugby is a team game and all scores are the result of the whole team’s efforts.
This form by Arklow must continue right to the end of this season. With two league matches remaining this Arklow team must keep their conviction and have belief in themselves to finish of this league with two wins which
would put them in a good place for promotion.
To run up such a good scoreline, all Arklow players who donned the jersey played extremely well and all performed bravely and above and beyond the ordinary.
While this game might appear an easy victory, Arklow put their hearts and souls into winning, and it was important to win as it keeps Arklow in the forefront of league contenders.
One concerning issue for Arklow must be that their scrum is being negated each week by opposition teams not travelling or having with the requisite subs. Arklow have had to revert to uncontested scrums in the last four games which tends to unfairly equalise both sides but disadvantage the Arklow team.
Arklow must be more selective when scrimmaging and chose where to apply their scrum strength. This will be important in the remaining league fixtures.
No game next week due to the home international games. The following week, February 10, Arklow play the next round of the Provincial Towns Cup in Arklow. Tullamore are the visitors while they must be respected Arklow should be confident in their abilities to win this home match. All rugby people in Arklow should come out and watch their side in action.
Arklow RFC: 1. John Louth,
2. Eoin O Scannail, 3. Anthony O’Donnell, 4. Ian Hart, 5. Jack Joyce, 6. John Furlong, 7. Joe Bulmer, 8. Richard Murphy, 9. Dean McCormack, 10. Michael O Scannail, 11. Shane McAllister, 12. Ben Kavanagh, 13. Paddy Ryan,
14. Tommy New, 15. Shane Nalty. Replacements: 16. Charlie Louth (C), 17. Patrick Brennan, 18. P. J. Keogh, 19. James Lambert, 20. Gavin Byrne.