Despite scoring two tries Malone were unable to clinch victory, a late try by the home side was enough to deny Malone the win.
Malone travelled south to Blackrock on Saturday to play the College team, in a game played in wet and windy conditions it was the home side who took the victory with a scoreline of 23-20. One feels this was a game Malone would and should of won, they held a slender lead going into the closing stages of the game but a late Blackrock try gave the home side the win and left Malone with the consolation of a losing bonus point.
The early phase of the game saw the home side keep possession through their forwards, it was Malone who scored first through a Josh Pentland penalty, the lead was short lived when blackrock equalised with a penalty from Rob Keogh.
Both packs were seeking superiority but the Malone forwards gave a great account of themselves at the set piece and the loose, The home side scored a try through Lambert which was converted by Keogh.
Keogh added a second penalty to give Blackrock a 13-3 lead, the Malone back line were moving the ball when they obtained possession but some uncharacteristic poor passing and decision making let them down when scoring opportunities presented themselves. The first half finished with Blackrock ahead by 13-3.
At the commencement of the second half Malone came out strongly and put together some excellent phases of play which resulted in winger Chris Leathem scoring a try which Josh Pentland converted to reduce the arrears to 13-10.
Blackrock were next to score when Davy Gannon touched down, Keogh failing to add the conversion advanced Blackrock’s score to 18-10. Malone upped their efforts and were rewarded with a penalty which Josh Pentland scored to bring Malone right back into contention at 18-13. This spurned Malone on and they were rewarded with a try when winger Michael Barker scored a great try in the corner. Josh Pentland struck a superb touchline conversion to put the visitors ahead by 20-18. Malone lost their captain Glen Moore to a yellow card (unsure of the reason) which reduced them to 14 men.
However Blackrock after the re start mounted yet another forward attack playing towards the clubhouse, when suddenly the ball popped out from the ruck and Blackrock’s replacement Billy Glynn touched the ball down for an unconverted try to regain the lead for the home side.
Malone tried everything to regain the lead in the final 6 or 7 minutes remaining, but the pace of play became frantic the ball was moved left and right but again some poor passing and decision making saw their gallant efforts come to nothing. The game ended with Blackrock winning by 23-20, alas a losing bonus point is a little consolation in a game that should of yielded so much more.
