Clonmel Rugby Club hit the ground running with bonus point victory

Clonmel 33 Ballyclare 27

As the All-Ireland League got underway, Clonmel Rugby Club was a hive of activity at their ground in Ard Gaoithe.

With three changes to Division 2C - Malahide coming down from 2B; Thomond and Bective Rangers coming up from Juniors - it was a classic case of better the devil you know, as Clonmel welcomed Ballyclare for Round 1 of the competition.

An Indian Summer-like day made for stunning if hot conditions and there was a great festive atmosphere, as Clonmel’s Under 11s cheered the teams onto the pitch with a guard of honour.

Clonmel put out a young team, with plenty of familiar faces from last year. But following an intense summer of strength and conditioning under Ciaran Burke from The Performance Lab, the lads were in great condition as they took to the field. Up front Clonmel had the upper hand in terms of physicality, and while Ballyclare’s back line looked crisp and well-drilled, Clonmel dominated for much of the game.

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Clonmel started strongly and won the first scrum of the game in the Ballyclare half. After a turnover, Clonmel had to defend on the five metre line. But they did so with aplomb, with crunching tackles by number eight Andrew Daly and hooker Jason Monua, and they duly pushed Ballyclare back.

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However, Ballyclare kept coming and Clonmel were under pressure closing the gaps. A speedy flanker for Ballyclare scored the first try . Their centre converted and the visitors led 0-7 after five minutes.

Clonmel kept their discipline but in some rare, wild moments where Clonmel knocked it on and lost a lineout close to the line, they can be hugely credited for regathering and keeping their patience to earn a penalty. And shortly afterwards, lock Diarmuid Brannock did great work in the ruck to win another. Joe O’Connor was on song with the boot and kicked both penalties between the uprights.

Clonmel worked hard to wear Ballyclare down and hold onto possession. A swift pass out to Michael Connellan on the wing gave him great space to race for the line and he was unlucky to be caught yards short.

Clonmel again attacked and Jason Monua, Keith Melbourne and Andrew Daly broke in unison up the middle of the field. In a dive that fell short of the line, Clonmel were unlucky when the referee called a held-up decision, giving possession back to the visitors.

However, Clonmel kept coming and with great work by the forwards, Mbongeni Masuka made a super break through the middle. But even catching his own team unawares, he was on his own and the offload went dead. Jack Walsh gathered but was stopped by the visitors and at this point it was frustrating that Clonmel weren’t further ahead. In a rare moment of ill-discipline by Clonmel, Ballyclare were awarded a penalty at 26 minutes to stretch their lead to 6-10.

Ballyclare looked very organised and moved the ball evenly across a crisp backline. It was only a mammoth tackle by Masuka that stopped a certain Ballyclare try.

In a man of the match performance, Keith Melbourne won a penalty and Clonmel were certainly winning at wearing down the opposition. Keith kept working and broke up the middle, only to be stopped before the line. But Clonmel kept possession and fly-half Drew Musa moved the ball wide to centre Henry Buttimer, who popped it to Masuka, who was floating eagerly on the wing. With a powerful take, he explosively dived over the line and, at 38 minutes, Clonmel were ahead for the first time.

Clonmel kept up the attacking momentum and went into the break with an 11-10 lead.

The second half started with scrum-half Tom Ross, returning from a long-term injury, coming off the bench to replace Ben O’Dwyer, who had a solid first half. Tom took to the field looking sharp and agile. But with Ballyclare in possession, Clonmel were forced into a scramble defence, where Michael Connellan put in a super tackle from behind.

Moments later, Clonmel were awarded a penalty for a Ballyclare lineout. Clonmel kicked for the corner and won the lineout. Tom Ross, sharp as a tack, broke from the back of the maul and pumped the legs to reach over the line. 43 minutes in, a lovely conversion by Joe O’Connor pushed Clonmel 18-10 ahead and the scoreline started to reflect their dominance.

While Clonmel must be credited with great discipline all day, the visitors struggled as Clonmel applied most of the pressure. After a number of warnings, Ballyclare were shown a yellow card for a high tackle on Buttimer, who was moving with wonderful agility and heart towards the line. Buttimer worked tirelessly all day to keep the opposition out.

With solid performances by Conor Bowen and Tomas Stransky, the pack worked hard. The workrate off the ball by Tim Nugent, who plays loose with great intelligence; Keith Melbourne and Ben Masuka got Clonmel into a dominant roll.

Brandon Delicato came off the bench and one couldn’t but note his impact as he tackled and scored Clonmel’s third try. Another penalty by Joey and a try for the visitors gave Clonmel a 26-15 lead with 72 minutes on the clock.

Clonmel emptied the bench. Delicato scored another converted try to effectively put the victory beyond doubt and give Clonmel their bonus point.

Having lost their winger Freddie Davies, who went off with a knock, there was injury time on the clock. Three tries up and with 80 minutes gone, the visitors scored two late tries in injury time, which took some of the gloss of an all-round fine team performance by Clonmel.

With five points in the bag, it’s a great start for Clonmel as they head to Dolphin for Round 2 this Saturday. With a double header in Cork for both the Firsts and the Seconds this weekend, all support is most welcome on the road.

Clonmel: Tim Nugent, Jason Monua, Tomas Stransky, Diarmuid Brannock, Keith Melbourne, Conor Bowen, Mbongeni Masuka, Andrew Daly, Ben O’Dwyer, Drew Musa, Micael Connellan, Joe O’Connor, Henry Buttimer (captain), Freddie Davies, Jack Walsh. Substitues: Sean Sweetman, Brandon Delicato, Luke Slattery, Zac Cahalan, Tom Ross.