Lansdowne 10 – 15 Barnhall

Heroic efforts just keep on coming from a Lansdowne J2 team that is really finding its form, but that rewarding win continues to elude us.  It has to be said that the Banhall side (J1, let’s not forget) were excellent, rarely losing their shape in defence and committing few if any handling errors.

It was a well executed wide passing movement that sent them over for their first try after 25 minutes of evenly matched and high quality play from both sides. But we were to respond within ten minutes with probably our best passage of play of the season so far.  A multi-phased play, working steadily up the pitch was finished off by Kevin O’Connor running a perfect line to cut through their defence like a knife through butter. John “JD” Delaney converted giving us a two point lead at the break.

Barnhall reopened their account early in the second half with another well finished try in the corner, but we came back soon with a penalty kick from JD making it a two point game. The gap was stretched back to five points within minutes when Barnhall took a penalty and now we needed a try.

We owned most of the possession and territory in the last quarter, but full marks to Barnhall, they played the conditions (including the ref) well and held out against our continuous attacks.

Next week we have a rematch against Blackrock, this time at home. A big win is coming; ‘Rock have good cause to be nervous.