Gonzaga beat High School by 45 points to 12 in the Vinnie Murray Cup at DLSP RFC on Thursday 16th January. Two minutes into the match, the Gonzaga backs moved the ball wide quickly to where right wing Kevin O’Connor broke a tackle and sprinted 50 metres to score under the posts. Ross McKeever converted to put Gonzaga seven points ahead.
Four minutes later, High School had a chance to get on the scoreboard with a penalty but it drifted wide. After 15 minutes Gonzaga left wing, Roddy Fitzpatrick gathered a ball near the touchline, carried it towards the middle of the pitch where he linked with other backs and after three further passes Kevin O’Connor ran 30 metres to where he drew the last defender, before delivering an inside pass to Ross McKeever who scored a try under the posts which he converted.
Twenty five minutes into the first half, left wing Roddy Fitzpatrick broke a tackle and then outpaced the last two defenders in a 50 metre sprint to the try line. McKeever again converted from a wide angle.
Almost straight from the kick-off, High School got on the attack and after a few quick rucks near the line they forced their way over for a try which they converted.
Then just before half-time, Gonzaga captain, Andy Marks ran hard at an over-stretched defence and scored wide on the left side. McKeever converted again to bring the half-time score to 28 points to 7.
Two minutes into the second half, Gonzaga struck again. Following strong carries in midfield by Eoghan Byrne and Marco McVey, the ball was moved wide quickly and Roddy Fitzpatrick scored near the left corner. Mc.Keever kicked his fifth conversion.
Jack Kerrigan replaced Barry Goulding at the hour mark and with his first touch of the ball made a strong midfield break that led to another try on the left side for Fitzpatrick. Five minutes later, High School intercepted a pass deep in their own half and the second-row showed great pace and determination to score High School’s second try. In the closing stages Roddy Fitzpatrick made space on the left and passed to scrum-half, Nick Peters who ran 30 metres to score.
