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Mallow RFC Reign Supreme in Local Derby

Mallow RFC Reign Supreme in Local Derby

Michael Sweeney16 Jan 2019 - 08:28
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Mallow RFC 1st XV vs Fermoy RFC - Match Report

Table toppers Mallow RFC played host to third placed Fermoy RFC in what was a big local derby for both sides in Munster Junior Division 2 last Sunday. It was a typically chilly but dry January day which allowed both teams to demonstrate their prowess with ball in hand. Owing to sickness and injury to key players, Mallow went into this tie without a few of their regular 1st XV, however, with Richard Weedle making his long-awaited come back, and John Connachton stepping into the fold, Mallow were in no way weakened. Playing down the hill but with a very stiff breeze blowing across the pitch, it was Mallow who got off to a positive start. This being Mallow's first game in a month, the home side eased their way into the match, without trying anything too expansive inside the first 15 minutes. Their patience paid off as the opening try of the encounter arrived after about 15 minutes on the clock. Following numerous strong carries by the forwards around the fringes, Chris O' Regan spotted a mis-match with a winger opposite him in defence. Ronan McCarthy found him with a pass and O' Regan bulldozed his way over from 5 metres out to dot down and open his account for the season. Fermoy responded almost immediately with a penalty to make the scoreline 5-3 after 20 minutes. Mallow however didn't let that falter their stride, kicking for territory quite well for the remainder of the half and seeking to put the Fermoy line-out under pressure. Mike Lenihan, Owen Glynn and Tysone Stephens carried extremely well for the home side, getting them over the gain line time and time again. Their powerful pack was to thank for the games 2nd try on the half-hour mark with Mallow finding themselves deep inside the Fermoy 22m. Fitzgerald found his jumper in a line-out 10m out from the try line and the bludgeoning resultant maul saw Mallow march Fermoy backwards with Fitzgerald getting on the end of it and scoring the try. With the away side's defensive line under pressure at this point in the game, Mallow sought blood and looked to kill off the Fermoy challenge. The third try of the match arrived thanks to a period of sustained pressure from the imperious pack as they strong-armed their counterparts. Fermoy found themselves numbers down in the backs and Mallow exposed their fragility, as David Breen flashed a pass wide to Jimmy Glynn who stepped inside the last defender and dived over from close range. Mallow played out the half well and went into the break with a 15-3 lead.

The second half saw the away side try to build their way back into the game with some early pressure. Mallow however refused to buckle as the visitors tried in vain to kick for territory, but to their detriment, as Mallow's next try demonstrated. Glynn gathered a clearing kick inside his own half and chose to run it back, eluding 2 kick chasers before firing a pass to Mike O' Flynn who sprinted from 20m out to dot down in the corner. This left the home side 20-3 to the good and with the bonus point secured. The try-fest didn't stop there as Breen was next to get his name on the scoresheet, somehow dodging and evading numerous attempted tackles from 10m out to score a 5th try. Mallow continued to play an attacking brand of rugby and with Conor O' Donovan finding space out wide, he interchanged very well with O' Flynn and Glynn only for the final pass of the move deemed to be forward, denying Mallow their 6th try of the game. Mallow emptied the bench with Sean Hannon, Rory Murphy and Peter Cosgrove really adding impetus to the performance. The only blemish of the day arrived around the 70-minute mark. The visitors refused to wave the white flag and eventually crossed for a consolation 7-pointer. On the resultant restart, Mallow's No.7 Sean Glynn was shown a red card for his high tackle on the catching player. On an afternoon when the collective unit regularly fired on all cylinders, this statement win over the current 3rd placed side in the league was also embellished with a number of standout performances across the team. With a disallowed try and a few missed conversions, some might argue that the scoreline failed to demonstrate Mallow's dominance throughout this tie.

By no means a blemish-free performance, the home side will no doubt be glad to have seen off such a close rival, scoring 5 tries along the way and maintaining their commanding lead at the top of the table. The victory preserves Mallow's impressive league record as they now have 44 points from a possible 45 (9 games played; 9 wins with 8 bonus points). The continued support for the club has been incredible and was demonstrated again last Sunday with a huge crowd coming out to cheer the home side. Mallow travel away for a league clash against Castleisland this Sunday (January 20th) before returning to fortress Parkadillane for a Junior Cup tie against Old Crescent on January 27th at 2pm.

1st XV Match Day Sponsors - Savills, thank you once again for your continued support.

#WeAreMallow

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