March, 2019 | Bruff Rugby Football Club

Saturday saw us make the long trip to Ballina to take on league leaders in the last of this block of 4 games, which really has taken its toll with a lot of injuries pushing our squad to the limits. We started into a a strong breeze but took an early lead through the boot of Davy o Grady, Ballina replied with a 3 pointer with 10 mins to the break and went 6-3 ahead through the boot of their out half. We took the lead after an excellent line out maul which took us inside the Ballina 22 saw Taylor crossing the line, Davy added the extras to make it 10-6 at half time. The winning and losing of the game came in the first 15 mins of the 2nd half when Ballina scored 3 try’s in a period when we lost Daniel and Cian Tierney who was having an excellent game until then, we had further 2nd half try’s from Kevin McManus and Cian Tierney when he came back on, but Ballina ran out winners on the day. We now have a chance to regroup and get some our injured players back and go after the last 3 games. While winning this division is probably beyond us now we are very much in control of our destination on making the playoffs and when one considers last season it was a different type of playoff we were facing every one should be hugely proud of where we are and where we could have been with more luck on the injury front.

Paddy cleary Johnny Cleary Kieth Laffan Tadgh o Dwyer Neilus Keogh Taylor Jones Sean hartigan Tom o Dwyer Danny Jackson Davy o Grady Graham Whelan Cian Tierney Jack o Grady Cian Clifford Shane biggins Shane Breen Brendan Keogh Mike Cooke Liam treacy Kevin McManus

We travelled to Seapoint on Saturday last to take the home side in rd 14 of the ail, we we’re forced into a late change when Brian Bulfin cried off and we added Kevin Treacy to the bench. Conditions were testing with a near gale blowing across the pitch slightly in our favor. Seapoint who were enjoying some good results of late made a good start and enjoyed the greater possession. With 10 mins in we managed to get some territory and were rewarded with a pen which Davy slotted over to go 3-0 up Seapoint who are fighting for survival got themselves back into the game with a 7 pointer after we lost Johnny for 10. The elements were playing havoc with the handling but we got ourselves back in to their 22, and after being rewarded with a penalty, a quick tap and go led to a knock on, and an opportunity missed. Seapoint then on the stroke of h/t scored in the corner to take a 12-3 lead. The wind brought the rain and it became very difficult to play any decent rugby but both sides really gave their all, Davy landed a fantastic 3 pointer and we semmed to be getting back into the game. But we were then rocked when Seapoint went over for a 5 pointer to make it 17-6. As I have mentioned in previous reports the one and not only attribute this team has is loads of character and they showed it once again in hen they got themselves back in the Seapoint half and after numerous carry’s Taylor Jones found a gap and powered over, Davy added the extras and it was back to 17-13. With over 20 mins left patience was key and the lads continued to take the game to Seapoint and were rewarded when Neilus’s Keogh scored close to the posts for us to take a 1 point lead Davy made that 3 with less than 10 on the clock. Seapoint to their credit never gave up and had possession for most of the remainder of the game around our 22 but our defense was disciplined managed to win a penalty with a great steal allowing us to clear our lines. We saw out the game with some good retention and after winning a penalty on their 22 Davy said enough is enough and we finished 20-17 to the good.

Bruff
Paddy Cleary Rob Coates Brendan Keogh Tadgh Dwyer Tommy Dwyer Taylor Jones Johnny Cleary Sean Hartigan Daniel Jackson Davy o Grady Graham Whelan Cian Tierney Jack o Grady Cian Clifford Shane Biggins Neilus Keogh Kieth Laffan Kevin Treacy Sean Darcy Kevin McManus

Bruff Rugby Football Club

Ail rd 15 v ballina

Ail rd 15

Ail rd 14 v Seapoint rfc