March is a month of seasonal change, weather wise. More so than any other month of the year. It is the month that facilitates the transition from Winter to Spring. The days are starting to really stretch, brighter mornings and the sun rising higher in the sky brings a bit of warmth which is welcome after a long Winter. The old saying that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb is appropriate to describe weather conditions as applicable to the date. Indeed, vice versa, it can come in like a lamb and go out like a lion also. You can experience the Four Seasons in one day, Nonetheless, there is drying in March due to the longer day and daylight heat of the sun and wind. The pitch in Carrowholly was evidence of that on Sunday.. Well dried out and in favourable playing conditions. March also is the month that more or less brings the rugby season to a close, competitions are winding up around this time of the year.
On Sunday Westport faced their neighbouring rugby club Castlebar in the first round of the under 13 Cup competition. After the division 1A league Westport finished seeded fourth, Castlebar were further down the table. In the pre Christmas league, Westport played Castlebar at their venue, under lights of a friday night back in October. Westport had a convincing win, fifty five points to nill. I felt for the castlebar boys and their coaches that evening, leaving the field, to go back to the training ground to regroup and get the defeat out of the system. . We played them again in January in a challenge match. Some of our players who had not got game time, and some who had, would play in that game. Castlebar dug in in the second half and won the match by six points, If I am right,they got a lift from winning it too. So the scene was set for Carrowholly, on Sunday for a first round Cup match between both clubs, with the winner going forward in the Cup competition and the losing team to compete in the Plate competition.
Here is how it unfolded!!
As in the match with Loughrea, the Coaches divided the players into two teams. Westport has almost enough numbers to make two teams. One team to play the first half and the other team to play the second half, a few players would play both halves. That way, all the players would get game time and the experience of it. Westport got to kick off, and put pressure on Castlebar, attacking with the ball in hand . Two scrums were awarded to Castlebar and a line out. Westport continued to press and to make ground, Hugh Molloy, on getting the ball in his hands had only one intention - the try line, which he crossed on the sixth minute. Ruaraí Breathnach kicked over the conversion. Westport were up by 7. From the kickoff, Westport continued to pressure Castlebar. With a line out awarded to Westport and later, a scrum to Castlebar, Castlebar were defending courageously, but once again on ten minutes, Hugh would break through to score his second try, Ruairaí stepped up and made the conversion count. Westport 14 Castlebar 0.
Even play would continue by both teams in the middle of the field but Westport had a dominance about them. Hugh Molloys graft and determination spearheaded the Westport attack. Westport continued to pressure Castlebar and on occasion, Castlebar defended well despite the pressure. At thirteen minutes, Hugh would break through to score his third try in a match where he was dominant and unstoppable . The conversion attempt was from distance and Sean.Henry took it. Although on target, it fell short. Westport 19
From kick off, even play resumed, with a scrum awarded to Castlebar and one for Westport, with continued play by both teams, Westport were moving the ball wide through the hands from James O'Sullivan scrumhalf, to Ruairaí at ten, out wide where Patrick Scott and Sean Henry made good runs on the touchline to attack Castlebar to advance towards their tryline. Although they would be tackled and recycled the ball, their link play and passing was delightful to watch. Ben Foy played the first half at number fifteen and the second half at number ten and put in a fine shift for his team. Westport pressure had them once again close to the Castlebar tryline, Ben received the ball and with determination and courage fought his way to get over the line for a try well deserved . Ruarie's conversion effort tailed wide.
Westport 24 Castlebar 0.
Even play continued, but Westport were dominant and tackling hard to hold onto possession and control of the match. With a line out for Westport and a scrum for Westport Geoffrey Bourke playing as a winger, received the ball, broke the line and made a strong run to score his second try for his club. Geoffrey only started playing rugby back in early December and has proved to be a real find, His athletic ability compliments his determination and desire to play the game. Ruaire's conversion attempt, although on target, just fell short of the posts. Play continued with a scrum to Castlebar and a line out also . Castlebar continued to defend until the referee blew his whistle for halftime.
Westport 29 Castlebar 0.
Second half.. Westport retired, their team that played for the first half, except for a few players that would see out the match to the end .Castlebar kicked off, Even play continued with two scrums to Westport. Westport continued, where they left off from the first half, with pressure driving Castlebar back to their 22. Ben Foy was having a great game for Westport as their attack continued. Two scrums for Castlebar and even play by both teams, gaining and losing territory. Hugh Molloy didn't play for the second half. Coaches kept Hugh off as Westport were well in front and to see how they would play without him, Hugh's absence was telling as he was the spearhead of attack in the first half and Westport now hadn't the same drive and purpose in attack compared to the first half. Hugh's value to the team is immeasurable.
Perhaps the break at half time and the team talk ignited Castlebar, because there was more purpose and drive in them in the second half. They upped their game and tackling to blunt Westport's effort to drive on. By the ninth minute of the half Castlebar had pushed Westport back almost to their try line.This was their best attacking period in the match. Almost at the try line, they were awarded a scrum and an opportunity to get a score from it. Westport defended strongly to push them back and clear their line. They got play down the field where they were awarded a line out. Play continued up the field with two scrums.for Westport with even play up to fifteen minutes. The ever reliables, Conor O'Regan, Connor Olson, Lucas O'Malley, Toby Mc Neeela, Ethan Coughlan and David Maloney, Naoise Griffith grafting hard for the team. Ben Foy was now playing at number 10, He got involved in a lot of Westport's play as they started to move the ball wide to put width in their game. Two scrums to Castlebar helped to steady play for Castlebar as they were defending bravely in their half of the pitch..Their performance was much improved on the first half. Westport continued the pressure and by the 21st minute, sustained pressure would see Connor O'Regan fetch the ball and smartly cross the line for a try. Westport 34 Castlebar 0 .
Noah Mc Nualty took the conversion and the difficult kick just tailed wide.
Westport continued with pressure, getting good width on their attack and sometimes the final player getting isolated and Castlebar turning over ball. A lineout to Castlebar and play resumed. On 22 minutes, good passing by Westport, through the hands found Antony McNeela who jinxed inside his opponent to run on and claim a fine try. Anthony is a player with serious pace and an ability to sidestep or shimmy his opponent and it was a lovely finish.Try of the match. Ruaire took the conversion and it failed to count.
Westport 39 Castlebar 0
Castlebar continued with possession.Westport were awarded a scrum and the referee blew his whistle, Game over. It was a competitive second half and Castlebar will be heartened by their display as they played much stronger in the second half. Westport continue on in the Cup competition where their next opponents will be Galway Bay. Castlebar will participate in the Plate competition going forward. We wish Castlebar best of Luck in the Plate competition and look forward to meeting them again. Westport had a good win over Galway.Bay in the League a few weeks ago.but let's not get complacent.They must train hard and take on the new challenge. Galway Bay having played Westport in the League lost that game by 31 points. They will be motivated to achieve a win to continue in the Cup competition. This is a knock out and you play to win.
Hugh again was our main man scoring 3 tries which set up the platform for the victory. His absence in the second half was telling as Westport laboured without him. In truth, all of the Westport boys played well, It was a good team performance from both teams on the day. All of the boys got gametime and the experience will stand to them going forward. Ben Foy, Geoffrey Burke, and Naoise Griffith played both halves and each boy had impressive performances. Ben scored a try and was involved in a lot of Westport's play, Geoffrey also scored a try and got in some good carries and tackles.Naoise tackled relentlessly and carried ball strongly.He also played as hooker..Naoise has played for Westport as a flanker and at number 8. A versatile player, you can count on. Killian Kelly and Barry McDonnacha had slight injuries.They didn't play, but were there to support and cheer on their teammates, Both key players and we wish them a speedy recovery.
To pick a first fifteen and subs, the coaches will be challenged as all the boys are playing well and putting their hands up for selection.In all positions. Just great to see! Back to the training ground and lots to work on , tackling will always be a priority, passing rucks, lineouts and support play, lots to do..
A huge appreciation and thank you to all the Ladies who provided hospitality in the Clubhouse - tea, coffee, sandwiches, biscuits, etc.for the boys, family members, friends, and coaching teams. Always nice to enjoy a coffee or tea and conversation about the match. Of course the topic of the day was Italy and Scotland shaking up the Six Nations.
As the second half deteriorated to rain, my paper was impossible to keep dry. The requirement is simple, purchase an umbrella and have it to hand just in case. Always Learning.. In the meantime..
