Seconds 12 – Loughrea 13

Galwegians let a glorious chance to garner an away victory slip through their fingers when they failed to hold on to a slender lead as the game reached an improbable crescendo.

The Sky Blues had a dominant scrum, a well functioning lineout, a slick passing backline and a solid defence, however indiscipline proved to be their achilles heal. A constant flows of penalties prevented an adventurous Wegians side from converting their superiority into points.

Wegians started the game with abandon and slick backline move prised open a gap for wing Shane Thompstone to burst through and off-load to the supporting Ross Shaughnessy who crashed over under the posts. The outhalf converted his own try. 13 mins Loughrea 0 - Galwegians 2nds 7.

Galwegians were unable to build momentum on the back of this early success as they conceded penalty after penalty both with and without the ball.

The visitors could not extend their lead while they had a stengthening breeze at their back on a damp, squidgy pitch. Dogged defending from the home side
played a vital part in keeping them in the game. Half-time - Loughrea 0 Galwegians 7.

Loughrea took advantage of the wind assistance they had in the second half when fullback Darren Griffin hammered over a long distance penalty early in the second half. 42 mins Loughrea 3 Galwegians 2nds 7.

Galwegians continued to play expansive rugby and an audacious overhead chip forward from scrumhalf Martin Connolly was hacked on by centre Matt Dever before being finished off by full back Ronan Burke in the corner to give Wegians their second try of the match. 54 mins - Loughrea 3 Galwegians 12.

Loughrea were stung into action and they worked their way deep into the Wegians half through grit and determination. A series of pick and drives tested the Wegians defense and eventually breached it when Griffin wriggled over close to the posts, replacement outhalf Conor O'Reagan slotted the conversion. 54 mins Loughrea 10 Galwegians 12.

The game swung back towards the visitors as they piled on the pressure in their attempt to seal the match with another try. It looked like they had achieved their goal when after a series of plays Shaughnessy spotted space behind the Loughrea defensive line, a well judged chip landed just over the try line and the nippy outhalf looked as though he grounded the ball to extend the visitors lead.
However a scrum was awarded to Loughrea for a knockon which left Wegians stunned, the home side giggling with delight and the spectators from both sides incredulous.

Wegians were reeling and continued to generously concede territory and possession with their profligate penalty concessions.

As the game ticked down Loughrea's belief that they could garner more than just a losing bonus point grew and grew. Wegians had opportunities to clear their lines but poor decision making kept the pressure on them to defend.

As the clocked ticked past 80 minutes Wegians made one final mistake and O'Reagan expertly punished them with a cooly taken drop goal that was to prove to be the final kick of the match. Full time - Loughrea 13 Galwegians 2nds 12.