Arklow's Unbeaten Rugby Run Comes To a Halt

Arklow's unbeaten eight match run came to an end at sunny Ballyrichard last Sunday when they suffered a 32-6 defeat at the hands of Enniscorthy. Their only other recent defeat was last October and the victors were also Enniscorthy.

Depleted Arklow opened the scoring early in play with a Darragh Kavanagh penalty but the visitors replied with a soft try after some weak tackling. The first half was fast and furious with both sides trying to play expansive open rugby. Kavanagh scored another penalty before half-time while his opposite number scored twice with the boot to leave a 6-13 half-time scoreline.

Arklow made a number of changes soon after half time although not necessarily for the better. It seemed that some of the players were more inclined to discuss the previous day's international than concentrate on the matter in hand. Enniscorthy concentrated throughout the game and communicated well as a team.

Best for Arklow were Stephen Melville who had an outstanding game together with Richard Lambert, Johnny O'Toole and Hemi Davis. Arklow panel - Simon Doyle, Colm O'Neill, Hemi Davis, Keith Prestage, Darragh Kavanagh, Liam Plunkett, Johnny O'Toole, Billy Byrne, Albert Plunkett, Anthony O'Donnell, John Pringle, Richard Murphy, Lloyd Furlong, Richard Lambert, Stephen Melville, Marcus Prestage, Eoin Quinn and Tim and Tommy Godkin.

A big day in Arklow next Sunday when the home side plays host to Athy in the Provincial Towns Cup at 3 p.m. The two sides met earlier in the season when Arklow won easily by 25-0.