Under 20s – Seapoint RC Vs De La salle Palmerston
Sept 17th Match Report – Home win
Seapoint 21 – 17 DLSP
Despite extremely wet and windy conditions, this season opener friendly went ahead as the Seapoint U20s team welcomed our neighbours from DLSP for a friendly warm up match ahead of the leagues starting in October.
It was a tight run game throughout with the cobwebs of summer, such as it was, well and truly blown away. Seapoint opened the scoring following a forwards break up the field spearheaded by Ed Sheehan and Tom Chadwick…this effort resulted in a penalty for Seapoint, taken quickly and spun out wide to the charging Adam Fitzsimons Nolan with a safe pair of hands to take it over the line. Sam O’Donovan tidily converted – Game on.
The match ebbed and flowed for the next 10 mins with both sides forwards cancelling each other out but clear that Seapoint Pack had the dominant scrum for the day with front rowers Conan Brady, Carl Byrne and Sheehan putting in a fine performance.
The brave and damp supporters that showed up didn’t have to wait much longer for the next score from the home side coming on the 18th minute where a superbly weighted cross field kick found the eager and alert Sean Scully to take the ball in and dive over for Seapoint’s second try and again successfully converted. 14 – 0.
Undeterred, DLSP showed they were here to play and on the 30 min mark their forwards charged over post a penalty award against Seapoint and duly converted.
It was 14- 7 at the half time mark and a much-needed break for both sides to catch their breath as bodies only getting up to match fitness were feeling the burn.
The Match restarted and on the 3rd min in Seapoint substitute Shane Gevero intercepted a wayward pass and ran the length of the pitch to bag Seapoint’s 3rd try of the afternoon and O’Donovan again made the conversion 21 -7
A yellow card each followed for both teams as the action continued. DLSP made the most of their advantage and went over for their second try but failed to convert. 21-12
Rain started to pour again making handling difficult and with sides tiring and benches emptied with Farell, Tyrell, Tomey, Scales and Dunne all getting on and supporting the effort for last quarter.
Salmo were to score one more unconverted try before the finish leave it at 21 – 17 win for the home side ably led today by captain Charlie McLoughlin. A super team effort from all squad players with second rows Maloney and Hand ensuring scrum dominance with number 8 Andrew O’Donovan barking encouragement at every opportunity alongside back rows Shane Loughlin and Chadwick putting in big shifts. Managing tidy and clever passing and with that famous step Conor Horan ensured the 9 – 10 channel flowed even in these conditions and spare a thought for the back line trojans of Ryan and McDonald that made this a successful afternoon for the home side.
There will be lots of analysis and improvements to be made as the squad grows and improves ahead of next game – away to Greystones on October 1st for first formal match of the season in a 2 leg decider.
Photos available on DLSP Website: https://www.dlspfc.ie/galleries
Some squad players still returning, and door is open to any players that wish to join the squad as it is shaping up to be a cracker of a season for this young team alongside top notch coaching ticket of Darragh Mullins and Peter Lyons. Enquiries to membership@seapointrugby.com or come down to training on Tues and Thursdays at 7.15
