Bandon 30-14 St Mary’s
15th November 2015
Bandon picked up their first bonus point win of the season last weekend, beating St Mary’s of Limerick 30-14, in Old Chapel.
Bandon kept their good run of form on track, starting strong into the wind, in Old Chapel. Their scrum was again the dominant factor from their pack. Their first try came early on when they were awarded a scrum 10 metres from the St Mary’s line. Bandon packed down and shoved St Mary’s back, allowing Kieran Essex an easy touch down from the back of the scrum. Richie Walsh added the conversion (7-0). Bandon’s dominance up front continued, with the referee awarding them a penalty in front of the posts for an infraction in the scrum. Richie Walsh again made no mistake in adding the points (10-0). St Mary’s made an attempt at a come back, holding the ball well, but were unable to break down the strong Bandon defence. The Bandon defence hammered Mary’s one out runners around the rucks, forcing them back into their own half. Bandon recovered the ball and turned the pressure back on Mary’s. Bandon pounded at the Mary’s line, all the time managing to keep the ball alive, until substitute prop Colin Jackson powered his way over to touchdown (15-0). Richie Walsh missed the conversion. St Mary’s responded well with a try of their own on the stroke of half time, which their outhalf converted (15-7).
Bandon started the second half the stronger of the two, and found themselves deep in the Mary’s half almost immediately. Kieran Essex was gifted a second try when, from another scrum, the Bandon pack shoved Mary’s back over their own line, allowing Essex an easy touchdown, which Richie Walsh converted (22-7). Bandon began turning the screw, and asserting their forward dominance. The home side took advantage of a line out 5 metres out, Scott Kingston threw to Des Prendergast standing at two in the line-out, which allowed Bandon to build a solid platform. Bandon mauled their way over the Mary’s line, with Scott Kingston picking up his first, and Bandon’s fourth try. Richie Walsh missed the conversion (27-7). Mary’s responded with a try of their own moments later, which their outhalf converted (27-14). Richie Walsh wrapped up the scoring for Bandon minutes from the end with a penalty to deny Mary’s any chance of a losing bonus point (30-14).
There were some stand out performances for Bandon of the day. Scott Kingston did well at Openside, winning a number of balls on the floor. The front row unit were again solid in the pack. Scrumhalf Richie Walsh continued his good form, marshalling the game. JP Lucey did well when introduced, putting in some monster hits in defence. However, best for Bandon on the day was Number 8 Kieran Essex. He was solid at the base of the scrum, as well in open field. Fourth placed Bandon will have elements to work on again this week but have put three strong performances together. They have time to work on these factors now with a rest week ahead of them.
Bandon: Olan Crowley, Gearoid Crowley, Jerry Crowley, Michael Beecher, Gearoid O’ Leary, Ray Naea, Richie Walsh; Riobaird Wilmot, Michael Murphy, Timmy Crowley, Dan Swithenbank, Des Prendergast, Tom Ferguson (C), Kieran Essex, Scott Kingston
Subs: Cian Buttimer, JP Lucey, Christian Mulcahy, Billy Crowley, Colin Jackson
