Thirds 38 – Loughrea 19

This week the 3rd played their second home game of the year against local rivals Loughrea RFC. A team we always have a big battle with and one where your always on the back foot against an experienced and well drilled team. Over the past few meetings he sides have always been very close games.

The 3rds came out as victors 38-19 for their fifth victory from five matches and continued a good run to date.

The first try came from Dinny Mulvey a forward with an old school style of hard aggressive running, and a powerful man who lives in the contact zone, he scored in the corner in the first 5 minutes, the conversion was missed but still a great start.

Shortly after the first of Loughrea's tries was scored and converted bringing the score line to 5-7.

True to form this year Marcus Cosgrave again got a break away try from inside his own half running the full distance under chase to get the blues back in the lead. conversions scored by Colm McGuinness taking the score to 12-7.

About 10 minutes before half time after some fantastic carries by the forwards, they gave a great ball to let the backs loose to score a vital 3rd try under the posts from returning  first centre Ger MacMahon. Score 19-7.

But Loughrea as they always do fought back with sustained pressure and great forward play to firstly steal a Wegians lineout and after multiple phases got a deserved try and conversion. score at the break 19-14.

The second half was a very even contest and in phases the loughrea pack were gaining a real foot hold in the game leaving wegians under pressure and having to put bodies on the line.

A great backs try came from great wegians pressure and in form Ciaran Pateman who showed the speed and quick step to get over and ease the pressure. Score line now 26-14 after the conversions was scored.

After some sustained forwards dominance the bobble headed running style of young second row Tommie Buttler showed experience beyond his years to pick a ball on the side of the ruck and run over under the posts for a brilliant try, which was converted to new score line of 33-14.

Loughrea again came back into the game with massive aggression and scrum dominance to pull multiple phases of hard carries to get over the line for a great team try. this was not converted leaving the game at 33-19.

Loughrea came again and again to the Wegians line and after some incredible hits particularly from Dave Coco Gallagher, Johnny Derrick, Dave Derham to name a few. the full squad turned the tables once more for wegians to get down the field and show great composure to score a game finishing try in the corner. The scorer was our nominated man of the match Ciaran Pateman. not only did Ciaran socre 2 tries but the hits he put in all game were of a different caliber.

the conversion was missed but the final whistle went giving the victory to the blues at 38-19.

Over all this was a great squad performance 1-23  from the 3rds, who showed great togetherness and fighting spirit to continue their good run.

A massive game awaits when the 3rds again play at home v table topping Portumna RFC in Glenina Sunday the 1st of December.

Pop down to support the lads for what will be a fantastic top of the table clash.