Skerries v Sunday’s Well 25th January 2020
The Well have been Skerries’ most difficult opponent for the past number of years and on Saturday in Holmpatrick, the 2020 version was no different. The visitors had a huge pack and played a very adventurous game from the start. The home team gave their best defensive performance of the season. The visitors dominated the first 10 minutes of the game and deservedly led 3-0 from a penalty. After 17 minutes following a turnover, Kieran Leonard made a break on the blindside and Captain Kevin McGrath scored in the corner. The next 20 minutes was very attritional, with no team getting the upper hand, so at half time the home team led 5-3. Michael Turvey had an excellent half and unfortunately did not return for the second half. His back row partners McCauley and Jenkinson were outstanding in defence.
Skerries started brightly in the second half with O’Loghlen kicking a penalty after 48 minutes, to increase the lead to 8-3. At this stage, The Well had a man in the bin. Soon after this, a Skerries player was binned and the visitors pressed to score but a huge turnover on 57 minutes changed the course of the game. The visitors pressed constantly but the Skerries scrum and lineout both dominated as the match wore on. On 36 minutes of the 2nd half, the home team, after huge pressure from a rolling maul, scored a try by Ross McAuley. It was unconverted, and left the score 13-3 to Skerries. The visitors continued to press forward, but again the home team defence held out. This was a huge team effort and great strides have been made by the coaching team on defensive structure and this has been evident all season, but this was a defensive display.
All forwards played a key role both, Con and Cormac Marrey made numerous tackles (one younger Marrey Cal, will start for Belvedere in Schools cup this week). Sherwin, Scuffil, Leonard also put in big shifts. Fay-Watt, Mulvaney and Halligan all played huge parts.
In the backs Carron, O’Loghlen, Lowndes, McGrath, Lennox, Oliver and Jones, plus replacements McKee and Woods all played huge parts in this performance.
This was a big win against a big physical side, which helps to build momentum with 7 matches to go. A difficult trip to Omagh follows in a few weeks and we need big support on our travels.
Match Pictures at link: https://www.skerriesrfc.ie/photos/
(Credit to Gerry Weldon for the great pics)
Team:
15.Jones
14.Oliver
13.McGrath (c)
12.Lowndes
11.Lennox
10.O’Loghlen
9.Carron
8.McAuley
7.Jenkinson
6.Turvey
5.Fay Watt
4.Mulvaney
3.Scuffil
2.Leonard
1.Marrey (Cormac)
16.Marrey (Con)
17.Sherwin
18.Halligan
19.Woods
20.McKee