The U13 Blue team travelled to Old crescent on Sunday last with almost a full squad for the first time in a while.
The game kicked off in damp conditions on the main pitch in Old Crescent with a large crowd watching from the clubhouse. A big physical Crescent side gave the blues some trouble at the breakdown initially but the boys found their feet and once the ball hit the wings the pace of full back Paul Sharkey delivered a first try under the posts. This was converted by Callum Elwood back once again in the familiar role of no. 10.
A further period of pressure by Galwegians after the restart with the pack including John Gibbs, Mathew Harty, Sam Guillfoyle, Senan Flynn and Colm Marnell making big gains up the centre. A final big carry by Colm Marnell right under the crescent posts was finished by Conor Gibbs and once again converted by Callum Ellwood.
An extended period of pressure by Crescent despite a solid wegians defence with big tackles by Mossy Fitzgerald, Jamie Connolly and Eanna Mac Mahon eventually resulted in a Crescent try.
After the first of the half time periods and some changes to the wegians side including Will Mahon in the pack and a blood substitution for scrum half Luka Danjou through the introduction of Michael Hussey on the wing and replacement scrum half Padraig Conole moving to no 9 from the wing, Wegians held out an extended period of Crescent pressure with some accurate clearance kicks by the no 10.
One of these was capitalised on by Hussey after a great chase and tackle which resulted in a turnover and an eventual try by Alex Brown who was excelling in the centre. This was converted despite being close to the touchline by young Ellwood.
The Blues including replacement full back Charlie Conneely kept crescent scoreless for the remainder of the third.
With the introduction of Ryan Murphy and Brendan O Gorman on the wing, Cian O Shaughnessy in no 5 along with the reinstatement of Danjou and Sharkey after the final break Galwegians gave a fine display of attacking and defensive rugby despite the strong pressure from the crescent side and only conceded one un converted try in the final third.
A great result against a strong side and a great experience for the entire squad in the run up to the cup first round in late February . Many thanks to our kind hosts who will travel to Glenina to play the Black team in March.
The U13 Black team are up next against Monivea next Sat 9th Feb in the eagerly anticipated final fixture of the U13 League.
