Clondalkin firsts remain 5th as seconds edged out

Clondalkin RFC’s 1st and 2nd teams faced Newbridge RFC in a must-win clash for both teams at Baldonnell Farm, in what was CRFC’s 2nd home game of the season in their first 6 games.

In the earlier game, CRFC’s 2nds team started well, captained by Ken McMahon, leading 8-0 after an early try and penalty from constant pressure on the Newbridge line.

Unfortunately for CRFC 2nds, the worsening conditions meant they struggled to build any continuity and two late tries from Newbridge meant the game ended 17-8 to the visitors.

In the 1st team game, Clondalkin started brightly, with a series of big carries from the forwards, particularly Jake Lusk, Simon King and Lemeki Vaipulu.

Clondalkin gained entry into the opposition 22 after fantastic linebreak from Fionnan Madden, although this opportunity was squandered after a knock-on close to the Newbridge line.

This then led to a series of scrums, to the delight of Clondalkin tight-head prop, Dar Madden.

Madden has had a strong series of games, completing 80 minutes again here against Newbridge.

Niall Nolan of Clondalkin evades a tackle and makes a break for it

Off one of these scrums, Clondalkin tearway number 8, Luke Swayne broke and a high tackle from the Newbridge flanker led to a penalty for Clondalkin.

Reliable goal-kicker, Niall Nolan tapped this over to give Clondalkin a 3- 0 lead.

From here, Clondalkin were their own worst enemies by not claiming the kick-off and Newbridge built pressure with a series of phases close to the Clondalkin line.

Clondalkin defended manfully, led by strong defence by Neil Finlay and Jake Lusk.

From this Clondalkin gained territory, with captain Eoin Delaney winning a penalty, which centre Mikey Russell booted into the Newbridge 22 for a Clondalkin lineout.

This led to a siege on the Newbridge line, with Lemeki Vaipulu and Fionnan Madden carrying strongly.

Young half-backs, Cathal Downey and Conor Branigan, both products of the CRFC underage system, pulled the strings to organize the attack manipulating the space for hooker Brian Doyle to crash over the line for the game’s opening try.

This was converted by Nolan again, for a 10-0 lead to Clondalkin.

Clondalkin continued their dominance and marched Newbridge down the field, with some slick skills in the wider channels from forwards King and Finlay to put winger Khalil Moran into space.

A long kick down the field by playmaker Russell led to a knock-on by Newbridge and a scrum for CRFC close to the Newbridge 22.

The pack got the shunt on and a cracking pass from Russell put Niall Nolan away, with him drawing the full-back for electric winger Ste Walsh to score in the corner.

Nolan continued to nail his kicks, with CRFC now leading 17-0 at halftime.

The strong wind in the 2nd half made the going tough for Clondalkin but they fronted up with some big carries from the pack, particularly by Brian Doyle and Eoin Delaney.

This physical approach yielded a penalty in front of the sticks, which Nolan slotted cooly to give Clondalkin a 20-0 lead after 50 minutes.

Newbridge rallied and started to get in the ascendancy, using the strong wind to pin back CRFC through their kicking game.

However, Clondalkin braved the storm, led by some brilliant defence by the outside backs, with wingers Ste Walsh and Khalil Moran tackling everything that came down their channels.

Newbridge benefited from CRFC’s indiscipline over the next 20 minutes, kicking 3 penalties, to leave the score at 20-9.

In the last play of the game, Newbridge earned a losing bonus point by scoring a try, catching CRFC unawares off a quick lineout.

The unconverted try left the final score at 20-14.

This well-earned win leaves Clondalkin in 5th place, with two further home games against North Kildare and Coolmine before the Christmas break.

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