Clonmel grind out hard-earned victory in All-Ireland Rugby League
Ballyclare defeated by two points in Ard Gaoithe
Clonmel 19 Ballyclare 17
Clonmel had a few late calls to make to the squad for Round 13 of Division 2C of the All-Ireland League against Ballyclare. With some illness and injuries affecting the camp, Gerrit Huisamen moved from second row to eight and Tony Cantwell, who was being rested after some huge games, was drafted back in at four.
Having marginally lost to Ballyclare in their encounter before Christmas, Clonmel knew they had a serious challenge ahead as the visitors arrived in Clonmel. Since their last meeting Ballyclare had two losses, a draw and a win under their belt. All games were tight encounters and they were riding the crest of a wave after their victory against Dolphin two weeks previously.
The weather was icy cold but with no wind as both teams took to the pitch on Saturday.
It was back and forth with the early possession and both teams struggled to settle. Ballyclare seemed to be making more inroads than Clonmel early on. But when they looked most likely to score, Henry Buttimer shot out of the line with a fantastic try-saving tackle to change the momentum.
Clonmel started to find some rhythm and with great carries by hooker Jason Monua and Gerrit Huisamen at eight, they made great inroads up the park.
Fine rucking by Tim Nugent and Bobby Doherty and Tom O’Dea, a pestering nuisance for the opposition, secured some lovely go-forward ball and gave the backs great attacking positions.
The backs ran the passes through the phases and in a move straight out of the training camp, Clonmel shifted wide to put winger Freddie Davies over in the corner for Clonmel’s first try. A lovely conversion by centre Joe O’Connor had Clonmel ahead 7-0.
An infringement soon followed and Ballyclare didn’t gamble and put the penalty between the posts to narrow the gap. Clonmel led 7-3 with 21 minutes on the clock.
Clonmel really started to dominate and were secure and mobile with the ball in hand. The versatile Dylan Cadogan exercised his wonderful play-making skills from the base of the scrum on numerous occasions. He sent the ball left and right and was ably assisted by out-half Drew Musa, who got Buttimer onto the ball and who made great ground.
The backs were great to maintain possession with some clinical and sure passing, Buttimer especially excelling as they found inroads up the park.
A few exciting attacking phases brought them close to the line. Super ruck defence by Tim Nugent and Bobby Doherty kept Clonmel’s go-forward ball alive. Huisamen and Monua capitalised and carried beautifully up the field towards the posts. It was a great team try when Ben Everard went on the crash ball and scored close to the uprights. Joe O’Connor converted and Clonmel led 14-3 with 25 minutes on the clock.
The visitors came back and spent the next ten minutes or so making great drives towards the Clonmel line.
However, Clonmel’s scramble defence was strong and Doherty and Buttimer in particular put in several big hits. Eventually the visitors were rewarded with a try near the posts and they duly converted to trail 14-10.
As half-time approached, again Clonmel attacked and it was heart in the mouth stuff, as both teams went back and forth with the attack into the break.
The visitors came back in the second half and scored quickly to take the lead by three points, 14-17. But Clonmel dug deep and in all- round team effort found another stride and had a super go at the line on numerous occasions. Indeed they were very unlucky not to be awarded for their excellent efforts here.
A tackle-in-the-air incident followed and both teams saw a player sent to the bin. And in a scrappy quarter, when frustration could have set in, Clonmel found great patience and focus as they continued to pummel towards the Ballyclare line.
Continuing to trust the process, they were rewarded in a beautiful moment at 70 minutes when Cadogan sent the ball through soft hands. Buttimer and O’Connor connected well to take it up the middle.
A stunning lob pass by Cadogan, right out of the Sam Prendergast textbook, found Freddie Davies at pace on the wing to send him over for Clonmel’s third try and Freddie’s second of the game. The try brought Clonmel back into the lead, 19-14.
In a game which saw the rewarding of few kickable penalties, Ballyclare were awarded a penalty right in front of the posts. There were mere minutes left on the clock. The crowd held their breath, as the kicker placed the ball on the tee and stepped back.
But in a surreal moment, just as the kicker started, the ball wobbled left off the tee. Forced to continue, the kicker kicked waywardly from hand and the three points attempt was lost.
A sense of excitement was starting to build in the Clonmel crowd. All were conscious the clock was turning red and Clonmel had to hold onto possession and keep their patience.
But Ballyclare found control and were back on ther attack. In a heart-stopping moment, when their backs were sprinting for the line, full back Michael Connellan stepped up and stopped them in their tracks with a try-saving tackle to end their momentum.
The Clonmel crowd cheered with relief, knowing it was the perfect end to a nerve-wracking game.
The four-point win keeps Clonmel in fifth spot in the table, and still in contention for a playoff spot.
Clonmel: Tim Nugent, Jason Monua, Ben Everard, Tony Cantwell, Tom O’Dea, Diarmuid Devaney, Bobby Doherty, Gerrit Huisamen, Dylan Cadogan, Drew Musa, Freddie Davies, Joe O’Connor, Henry Buttimer (captain), Luke Hogan, Michael Connellan.
Subs: Brandon Delicato, Rob O’Donovan, Diarmuid Brannock, Ben O’Dwyer, Alex Sheehan.