Clane 38-21 Ardee: A strong win in the October sunshine
Clane Seniors got their first win of the season at the second time of asking with a dynamic attacking display against last season’s 3rd placed side. Conditions were perfect for rugby on the Ballinagappa Road, allowing both teams to spread the play and get some forward momentum going.
Clane started as they meant to go on, opening the scoring almost straight from kickoff through Jimmy McMahon. Glenn Predy added another try within the ten minute mark and Clane were off to a flier, leading 10-0. Ardee responded quickly though, and it wasn’t long before they had scored a try of their own. Some sustained pressure led to the ball being spread to the backs, where a fortuitous bounce pass eventually allowed the ball to fall into the hands of their winger, who scored under the posts.
Not to be discouraged and looking to lengthen their lead, Clane marched up the other end. Ardee’s defence was stout, shutting down opportunities for Brian Jones out wide. Clane kept plugging away however, and a quick tap and go penalty gave them the space they needed. Fast ball at the ruck found Predy, who squeezed between two defenders to score his second try of the afternoon. Joel Dyer added the extras, sending us into half time with a 17-7 lead.
The game didn’t take long to get going in the second half either, but this time Ardee managed the first score. A clever box kick in behind caught Clane out, and their number 8 outpaced the cover to score between the posts. Not long after this, Ardee were building pressure down the home team’s left hand side. Some strong defence from Clane caused a loose offload, and McMahon seized upon the chance to gain some yards. His powerful run was ended 10 metres from the line, but great support from the pack kept Ardee pinned back. Enda O’Connell then received the ball at 10, dummied a defender, and dotted down for a deceptively simple score, giving Clane the coveted try bonus point.
O’Connell was heavily involved in the pick of the action as the final quarter of the game began. Much of it was played between either 22, but a surprise break and couple of sidesteps from hooker Owen Daly kept the crowd entertained. O’Connell tried a chip through of his own off the back of Daly’s work, but the bounce just fell out of his reach with the defence scrambling. Ardee again attempted to ratchet up the pressure on the defence, but an outstanding turnover at ruck time from O’Connell allowed Clane to march back upfield.
The home side came very close to adding another try to their collection following this, with the visitors standing resolute on their own try line. Ronan Connolly was centimetres short of the line but again Ardee managed to win the ball back and attempted to clear. They couldn’t keep Clane out forever though. From the resultant lineout, Shane Redmond turned the ball over back to the hosts. The defence wasn’t set, allowing substitute Matthew Betts-Symonds to score a try on his return to rugby. Dyer converted, giving his side a healthy 31-14 lead as the finish line neared.
The travelling side weren’t dead and buried yet however. Another kick behind the defence led to a mixup in the back 3. The resultant tussle for the ball somehow found its way into Ardee hands, and they duly scored in the corner. Clane were in no mood for a comeback, and a mistake from their opponents on the kickoff allowed the ball to find its way to Barry Connolly, who succeeded where his brother could not and scored in the corner. It was the icing on the cake of a great attacking display, and finally put the game to bed.
Both teams can go away happy with their attacking returns, and a bonus point win is always welcome. The conditions may worsen in the coming months and make flowing rugby more difficult, but Clane have started as they mean to go on. Clane have a full 3 weeks off before a triple header, beginning with Ratoath at home on the 31st October at 3pm. We hope to see you there as we look to build upon our strong early season performances!