Skerries U15s - Sat 21st January 2012 North East League

Skerries’ find their way in Ratoath

Ratoath 3
Skerries 29

Last Saturday Skerries parents drove endlessly around looking for the match, unable to find the roundabouts marked on the maps thoughtfully provided by Terry Woods. Local people gave enthusiastic but wonderfully incorrect directions. It was like a scene from the Wacky Races. “Look, there’s Nora McCann going the other way! Oh no, there’s Tony Frawley going another way! and Alan Marrey going another, other way!” Now Siobhan’s on the phone to Tony telling him not to go that way! Dick Dastardly was seen outside the Tesco Express.

The team had no such problems however. Though missing stalwarts like Odhran, Tom and Jenko, who were on other duty, and Lorcan who was still injured (but out supporting the team – sound), they knew the way and made early progress into Ratoath territory. George Harrington ripped the ball from a Ratoath player, Con Marrey sent a lovely pass out to the backs and Luke Cullen nearly made it over but for a foot in touch. Skerries won the line out though and a simple wide move by the backs put Daniel Downing through. CFC! 0-7.

On 15 minutes, Ratoath had a scrum; Ciaran Frawley did a smash and grab on his opposite no. 10 and the ball was sent out to Luke who ran in. 0-12.

Skerries dominated the half, as George, Niall Mc Cann and Ben O’Keeffe got through a mountain of work and the 10-12 partnership of Ciaran and Sam Toft always looked threatening. Luke Cullen might have had two more tries but for the intruding touchline. Callan Boyle had a string of good runs and on 19 minutes, after he stopped one of the hew-idge Ratoath props, Ben OK robbed and drove away, and a quick recycle at the breakdown got Rob McKey away for the third try.

Ratoath to their credit never gave up and got a penalty. But the Skerries kickoff was spilled by the receiver, and Ben OK’s chase was rewarded as he picked the dropped ball and sprinted over for the try.3-22.

In the second half, Ratoath’s big forwards worked hard and Skerries helped them by repeatedly checking back inside rather than going out wide. Ratoath had a good 10 minutes and Skerries had a lot of defending to do, but Jake Deering made some outstanding tackles, Sam Toft kept driving Ratoath back and Daniel Downing stopped one dangerous looking run.

Ian Carroll made his debut on the team and Seam Waddilove and Fionn Geraghty had good runs. Towards the end, Skerries had a period of sustained pressure and from a scrum near the Ratoath line, George picked and drove and Niall got over for a deserved try. Ciaran Frawley topped off a fine game with the conversion. Final score 3-29.

It is understood that everyone found their way home. Cue Muttley wheezy snigger.