CLONTARF PULVERIZE ROCK!
Author: Peter Walsh
2006-01-16
The Northside wagon rolled into sunny Stradbrook on Saturday and well before the game was over had loaded up the points and headed back across the ole' river. Mind you the large (and growing) travelling support was made to wait in frustration as a blend of strong home defending, dubious option taking and the frequent interference of an inexperienced referee messed up the first half plans. It also wasn't helped by the home teams insistance on having a lie down break after every phase.
After 17 mins Trenier stole a home throw and one quick ruck later the ball was moved left by Hewitt. It duly arrived to Keane who with the full back to beat decided to take the least risky option and ran through him for the score. 'Rock replied on 27 minutes with a drop goal from out half O'Toole after a sustained period of pressure on the 'Tarf line. That was it for the first half as the sides turned around at 5 3 to 'Tarf.
The second half was a nightmare for the home side.
After 12 minutes the Clontarf backline broke loose and after seemingly everyone handled O'Brien scored near the posts: O'Shea added the kick for 12 3 and the Blackrock heads started to droop. From the kickoff 'Tarf stormed down the pitch and forced a lineout 5 yards out.
Throw, catch , maul, Chops, try.
Seven minutes later a lineout on the opposite side saw the ball moved to Gissing loitering with menace on his out half's shoulder. He made ground and took a number of defenders out and quick ball saw O'Donnell in.The Kid converted for 24 3.
From that point on the game was one way traffic and deep in injury time 'Chops' appeared again like a hungry bear and confirmed his man of the match award with another score for 29 3.
You have to have sympathy for Blackrock who have endured a horrendous 8 days of AIL rugby. No doubt they will recover and be back to torture us again in the future.
Next weekend will tell a lot. We have Shannon in Castle Ave, 'Quins travel to Dungannon for a match which rarely follows recent form and Con play Garryowen in Cork on Sunday.
P.S.
Cheers to the Clontarf support who turned out in force at Stradbrook. For God's sake bring a noisy friend on Saturday!!
P.P.S. Did anyone see the O'Sugercane brothers? ..or were they selling the Big Issue on O'Connell Bridge?

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