Rugby: Dissappointing performance for Arklow in Leinster League

Tullow Rugby Club continued their excellent run in the Leinster League with a convincing win over a disappointing Arklow outfit in a tempestuous match at Blackgates, Tullow on Sunday last.

Inspired by a strong forward display where lock Ger Rooney was dominant in the line-out and a slick back-line, Tullow were never really likely to lose this game after Will Canavan put them ahead with two well-struck penalties inside 12 minutes.

On 20 minutes, full-back Derek Vance punched a hole through the visitors defence and with the Tullow support up quickly the ball was spun to left winger Peter Lawrence who scored far out on the left. In fact he was unlucky not to score five minutes earlier but he put a foot in touch with the Arklow defence stretched.

The visitors seemed shell shocked by this and continued to play into Tullow’s hands as kicks failed to find touch and surprisingly knocking on more ball than they probably have done all season. Tullow took the chance to stretch their lead when Arklow lost possession inside their twenty two and when they conceded a short penalty which was quickly taken Lawrence collected and had the luxury of ignoring a colleague outside him to go himself and score his second try. This time Canavan was successful with his conversion attempt.

Coming up to half time Arklow had their best spell of the match but the home defence held firm.

Arklow continued in the second half where they had left off coming up to the half time whistle but after a ten minute of sustained pressure all they had for their efforts was a penalty scored by out half Mark Van Esbeck. Tullow conceded a succession of penalties but the Wicklow side had neither the know how or the will to score a try which could have got them back in the game.

Tullow responded and right winger, Paddy Byrne was high tackled as he made ground up the right. Tullow kicked for the corner and while they didn’t score from the initial effort they were now, as far as they were concerned, in the correct half of the pitch. Arklow held out for a short period but when they conceded another penalty on the left, open side wing forward, John Roche, caught the defence napping and he scored his side’s third try which Canavan again converted.

The bonus point was now something to aim for but for long periods Arklow looked more likely to score. Again a lack of know how and some diligent home defence prevented the visitors from adding to their meagre total.

With five minutes left on the clock Canavan kicked a penalty to the left corner. From the resultant throw Ger Rooney gathered and was driven forward by the entire Tullow pack and the referee, Philip Grey, was in a good position to award the try. Again Canavan was successful with the conversion attempt.

Arklow had one last attempt to get a try but the effort was spoiled when the referee reversed an award of a penalty to the visitors when a Tullow player was slam dunked to the ground by an Arklow forward. This incident precipitated an all out bout of fisticuffs by both teams which did no credit to either side. In light of some of the incidents which had gone before both sides could be considered fortunate that the referee did not send somebody off.

As it was Tullow kicked for touch and the referee blew for time three minutes later with no further incident. Tullow will be delighted with this win as they earned maximum points with this effort. On paper Arklow would have been expected to have been tougher opposition but a poor first half display was ultimately their undoing.

Tullow had great performers in Alan Burns, Ivan Glynn, Ger Rooney and Darren Leonard in the forwards while Wesley Deacon at scrum half availed of good quality ball to get a speedy back line moving where Will Canavan, Peter Lawrence and Derek Vance caught the eye.

For Arklow it was a day to forget. Barry White, Gavin Byrne, Richard Murphy and Billy Guilefoyle did best.

TULLOW: Derek Vance, Peter Lawrence, Pebur Goulac, Paul Sullivan, Paddy Byrne, Will Canavan, Wesley Deacon, Darren Leonard, John Roche, Martin Mazdimiski, Ger Rooney, Colly Nolan, Alan Burns, Joey Connors, Ivan Glynn. Subs: Harry Byrnes for Connors, Donal Haskins for Nolan.