'TARF STEP OVER 'STONES
03/03/2008
Clontarf 27 Greystones 18


What an extremely strange performance. Watching Clontarf on Saturday was like observing group therapy at a multiple personality’s convention. You just don’t know what is going to happen next. This game had everything for any neutrals in the crowd and nothing for those poor souls who are die hard Greystones and Clontarf men. Greystones, shorn of their captain and a number of other influential players were committed but weak. Clontarf stuffed to the gills with talent were, to put it gently, mercurial. It was hard to believe at times that this was a top four side versus relegation contenders.
After eleven minutes Keatley opened the scoring with a penalty after Greystones came in at the side of a ruck. Three minutes later Carson was harshly binned for a high tackle and ‘stones equalised. On 25 minutes Clontarf pressed again and Keatley probing the blind side noticed space behind the defence, dinked a kick over them and re gathered for the score and 10 3. Greystones added a second penalty for offside and 10 6 at half time.
In the second half the referee, already ignoring the basic rules of scrummaging, decided to add to the excitement by applying some special rules of his own. On 50 minutes Alan Trenier put in a super tackle and in the process stole the ball. In going to ground to set the ruck he was pinged for hands and Greystones sensing an opportunity took a quick one and scored for 10 11. That seemed to upset Clontarf who promptly lost their defensive concentration. It didn’t help that replacement prop Healy received a yellow for showing his opposite man too much love and that the game in consequence went to uncontested scrums. Suddenly Greystones had neutralised Clontarfs dominance in the tight and sniffed redemption so it was sevens rugby from then on. On 63 mins a dramatic overthrow by the visitors hooker in his own 22 was gratefully received by Elvin at the back of the lineout for 20 11. Seven minutes later the Clontarf defence inexplicably yawned open and ‘stones got it back to 20 18 with ten plus to go. It took a solid few phases of driving from the pack to seal it with Purdue getting the touchdown 2 minutes from time for a 27 18 victory to the home side.
I don’t think anyone was happy with this game. Greystones tried hard and deserved at least a bonus point. They look doomed.
Clontarf mixed efficiency with a little bit of inspiration and a large helping of atrocious defending.

On Saturday we did not look like a top four side …. sorry guys.

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