U16 match report - Greystones

DLSP 41 - Greystones 0

Under 16 Metro League

Match 4 for DLSP U16s saw Greystones visit Kilternan on a dry overcast Sunday, the 8th Jan 2006, for each sides first match of the New Year. Greystones started strongly in typical confident style on two counts, firstly they had never lost in any previous encounter at earlier ages between the two sides and secondly, they are currently unbeaten in the league. DLSP enjoyed an early period in Greystones half and after 10 mins, won a good clean lineout on their 10m line, Mark Cullen (11) made the extra man in the back line and the ball passed through each of the back line with Marcus O'Sullivan (14) taking the ball on Greystones 10m line. He sprinted for the line and on the 22m line cut back in around 4 Greystones players to score under the posts. The try was converted by Shane Robertson (12). DLSP enjoyed continued line-out domination throughout the game with Eoin Burke (5), Daryl Charmant-Dunne (1) and Karl Moran (2) taking the ball on Greystones throw-ins. Five minutes later again the ball was again passed through the back line which put Marcus O'Sullivan in place to run 35m and score his second try over. This was converted 25m in from the side-line on the 22m line again by Shane Robertson (12). In one spell, full back Josh Russell-Carroll ran over 20 m and was very unlucky not to score on his kick ahead which was touched down by his Greystones counterpart. His fielding and kicking throughout the first half were flawless.Coming up to half-time, DLSP seemed to ease up and play became a bit scrappy, great defensive work by the pack, in particular Dylan Mooney (4), Garret Fitzgerald (6) and Stephen Dunne (7) ensured that Greystones did not score.

Following pep talks by coaches Peter Ashbrowne, Garry Glenn and Aidan Grannell, DLSP resumed the match as they had played in the early part of the first half. No 8, Conor Boyd fought hard yards in mauls and rucks forcing Greystones back into their own half. After about 5 mins, DLSP won their scrum about 15m from the Greystones line, scrum half John Cooney, brother of Francis Cooney on the senior XV opted to take the blind side and between himself and winger Mark Cullen they beat 4 Greystones players with John scoring in the corner. Shane Robertson went close with his conversion attempt. About 5 minutes later, captain and out half Killian O'Sullivan, whose kicking was improving steadily throughout the game, kicked a long ball from outside his 22m line deep into the Greystones half. Shane Robertson (12) and Eamonn MacAleese (13) chased it down, with Roberston charging down the Greystones winger's attempt at clearance just inside the 22m line, the ball fell clear and McAleese kicked ahead and touched down to score his first try. Shane Robertson again went close with his conversion attempt.

Josh Russell-Carroll moved into first centre when Shane Robertson was substituted, with Christopher Fenelon (16) coming on as full back. Stephen Dunne (7) was replaced by Gavan Sadlier (17). DLSP were now running rampant, the pack were charging straight down the field throwing the ball around in short passes. The ball was turned over in a ruck, and the greystones blindside flanker took the ball up, Eamonn McAleese (13) ripped the ball out of his hands and then ran the pitch from the halfway line to score a try under the posts, which was converted by pack leader and tight head prop Alan Glenn. Mark Cullen (11) hurt his ankle about 20 mins into the half and was replaced by Kevin Gaul (1 . About 2 mins later, after a series of short passes along the sideline from the half way line John Cooney (9) scored his second try at the base of ruck. Alan Glenn (1) went close with the conversion. About 2 mins later again, Garret Fitzgerald (6) to his surprise emerged from a maul with the ball, stopped momentarily as the Greystones players stood motionless in surprise and then proceeded to run 20m to score. The conversion attempt

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