The Counties Cup Competition concluded at ALSAA on Wednesday with an absorbing final fiercely contested between Fingal and Leinster Senior Clubs who won 26-14…
Cup holders Fingal fielded a huge pack and took the game directly to the Senior Clubs. Good work at the lineout and at ruck time followed by strong running off the back of the scrum from the Fingal number 8 set up field position for the first try. Moving the ball wide Fingal’s big left winger stood up in the tackle to offload to a supporting player on the wrap around, who slid in for the five points at the corner.
The sides traded penalties but for all their physical superiority Fingal coundn’t stretch the five point lead and went in just 8-6 up at the break following another penalty from The Clubs replacement winger.
The second half was played in near gale conditions and the clubs wily veteran out half took advantage of the stiff wind pegging Fingal back into the corner for much of the remainder. The pressure finally told with some quick handling releasing the Clubs inside centre to sprint under the posts from halfway.
The Clubs pack with the wind at the backs now began to assert themselves but had to work hard to repel repeated attacks close in during the fourth quarter, however an opportunist drop goal from the Clubs stocky ten relieved some pressure midway through the half. With minutes to go the win was sealed when the Clubs lively number eight crashed in for a score close to the uprights.
