Clondalkin firsts battle out a crucial victory
CLONDALKIN RFC’s First XV demonstrated great resolve to beat a gallant Railway Union 20-10 in a tense promotion/relegation playoff in DLSP grounds on Sunday.
Indeed the game swung from end to end with Railway drawing first blood after breaking over the whitewash to help open up a 7-0 lead.
Clondalkin's Matt Stapleton attempts a line-break during his side's promotion/relegation playoff against Railway
Chris Jebb’s penalty shortly after served to reduce Clondalkin’s arrears and ten minutes later a try in the corner by Niall Nolan, converted by Jebb, edged them in front 10-7.
Railway managed to restore parity once more by the recess after converting a penalty ahead of a second half that lasted 57 minutes.
A penalty by Jebb after six minutes restored Clon’s lead to 13-10 and, with ten minutes to go, Matt Stapleton made a great break and kicked ahead only to be impeded from touching down.
Series of penalties
A penalty try was awarded, propelling them ten points in front and, while Railway tried their best to respond, dogged defence by their opponents kept them at bay.
The referee indicated 30 seconds left in the game but due to a series of penalties the match lasted a further 17 minutes.
Having delivered on their front, Clondalkin will now be anxiously waiting to see if Ashbourne can win the round robin tournament and Tullamore avoid the drop from AIL.
On another note, the Clondalkin thirds take on AIB in the Metro League Final in DCU this Saturday.
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