Carrick’s Under 14 Boys secure their place in the Semi-Final of the Connacht Cup
Carrick OS RFC 55
Ballinrobe RFC 14
Carrick’s Under 14 Boys welcomed Ballinrobe RFC on Sunday to play their second last Pool game in the Connacht Cup. Unbeaten in their Pool so far and having beaten 2nd placed Buccaneers RFC, a win for Carrick would secure their place in the Semi-Final of the Cup.
The first play of the match saw Ballinrobe kicking in a high hanging ball, which was brilliantly picked out of the air by Carrick who quickly gained territory to start their attack in Ballinrobe’s half. Carrick opened the scoreboard with a converted try to take a lead of 7-0. Ballinrobe attempted another high hanging kick-in, but it was again picked out of the air by Carrick who scored from a second phase with a brilliant pick up from the ruck. A third kick-off was similarly responded to, which put Carrick in a comfortable lead of 17-0. Ballinrobe changed their tactics on the kick-in, which forced Carrick to play from within their own half and work harder to gain territory. Ballinrobe’s scrums improved, which allowed Ballinrobe to settle and play more attacking Rugby. But Carrick’s strong defense, good forward ball carrying and clinical backline eventually lead to another converted try being scored by Carrick to make the half time score 24-0 to the home team.
Carrick was quick to score in the first half from a well worked move from the base of the scrum to further their lead to 31-0 within the first minute of the second half. An opportunistic kick by Carrick that was not followed up quick enough was punished swiftly by Ballinrobe, who scored a brilliant try under the post from their own 22 to reduce Carrick’s lead to 31-7.
Despite another converted try being scored by Ballinrobe from their own 22 at the end of the second half, they left too many questions by Carrick unanswered. 5 tries (three converted) by Carrick made the final score 55-14.
Carrick’s win secured their place in the Connacht Cup Semi-Final with a game in hand against Gort away next Saturday, 22nd.
