Dublin University and Wanderers remain unbeaten and sit at the top of the Men’s Leinster Conferences 1 and 2 respectively after three rounds of the Energia Community Series.
In Conference 1, the tie of the round proved to be the match between the Trinity students and Terenure at Lakelands Park.
It was the home side that played all the rugby early on to take a commanding 24-7 lead. However, Trinity bounced back with a try just before half-time to narrow the deficit and, in a pulsating second period, scored 26 unanswered points.
Terenure can consider themselves unfortunate as they then applied all the late pressure with dominant scrummaging which led to two yellow cards for Trinity. However, the students, showing resilience in defence, managed to hold out for victory, 36-31.
In Templeville Road, St Mary’s entertained Lansdowne who came away with a narrow 13-10 victory.
In a tight encounter, it was the visitors’ dominant pack who paved the way. A penalty try drew them level after an excellent opening Mary’s score to make it 7-7 at half-time.
In a game that could have gone either way, Lansdowne kicked two late penalties to see them through. Lansdowne with two out of two league victories also sees them unbeaten but have played a game less after receiving a bye in round one.
In Energia Park, Old Wesley took on close neighbours Old Belvedere and it was the visitors who raced into the lead with two early tries. However, the Wesley men settled into the game to score four tries of their own and in an entertaining contest emerged withe the spoils by a score of 30-18.
Clontarf were too strong for visitors Naas at Castle Avenue and, having built up a commanding lead in the first half, ran out winners by 34-7. The in-form Northsiders who, like Lansdowne, have only played twice in this league campaign. They will prove difficult opposition as the season progresses.
In Conference 2, Wanderers travelled to take on Greystones at Dr Hickey Park where an excellent game of running rugby maintained their unbeaten run to top the table with a 38-24 bonus-point victory.
Greystones, who very much played their part in this entertaining match, led at the interval and secured a bonus point with four tries of their own.
MU Barnhall have continued their good form of recent seasons and proved too strong for a gallant Skerries outfit on the new all-weather surface in Holmpatrick. The Kildare visitors ran in eight tries in a comprehensive 52-5 success.
Malahide took on Tullamore at home in Estuary Road and eventually broke down a resilient second-half performance by the visitors to emerge with a 21-10 victory.
Unfortunately, the match between Blackrock College and Navan was cancelled due to COVID-19 guidelines. Both teams receive two league points with the match recorded as a 0-0 draw.
Energia Women’s Community Series
Alannah O’Carroll and Ciara O’Dwyer both quickly made their mark in Old Belvedere colours with two tries each in Saturday’s 48-3 bonus-point win over Wicklow.
In Johnny Garth’s first competitive game in charge, the debut duo picked off some well-taken scores at Ollie Campbell Park and there was also a try double for Ireland Sevens international Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird.
Nic a Bhaird was a real workhorse around the pitch, wearing the number 7 shirt but throwing in at the lineout and carrying off the base of a dominant Belvedere scrum.
Despite it finishing eight tries-to-none, Wicklow’s young side went toe-to-toe with their experienced hosts for much of the first half. They were disciplined and committed in open play and drew praise afterwards from Garth.
At Stradbrook, Blackrock College made it two wins out of two to go five points clear at the top of the Leinster Conference. Another all-action display from two-try captain Maeve Óg O’Leary inspired ‘Rock’s 43-0 bonus-point victory over Suttonians.
Suttonians turned in a valiant performance, having been rocked by the early injury-enforced departure of skipper Lauren Farrell McCabe. Strong-running centre Shannon Touhey, who was released from Ireland camp for the game, encouraged her team-mates with some powerful midfield carries.
Round three of the Women’s Series sees Railway Union host Blackrock and Suttonians host Old Belvedere.
Although these games are having to take place behind closed doors, due to current restrictions, all clubs are once again showing excellent enterprise by living streaming matches, thereby giving club members, the players’ families and rugby fans the opportunity to view all that is good in the domestic game.
Click here for a full list of club rugby fixtures and results.
