Civil Service Rugby Club Notes
Colts 17 v 26 Malone
Service Colts hosted near neighbours Malone, at Stormont on Saturday, in one of only a handful of fixtures to be played across Ulster due to the continuing poor weather. Peter Buckley made a welcome return to the side with his first start of 2013. The early exchanges were fairly even with the home side soaking up early pressure from their more robust and experienced visitors. After a period of sustained pressure in the Service “22” Malone eventually crossed for a converted try to open the scoring.
Service pressed the Malone line but couldn’t breach the visitor’s defences. The scrums were good as was the rucking with Daniel Moore marshalling the pack well.
Another powerful surge saw Malone cross the line again just before half-time for an unconverted try to leave it 0 – 12 to Malone at the break.
The half-time pep talk was full of encouragement, with lots of positives to work on. Some substitutions were made, with Philip Armour having worked a hard shift at hooker and giving way to Alastair Campbell, and Matthew Rice on the wing giving way to Benjamin Young. A number of positional changes also took place with Jack McLaughlin moving from 9 to 6, Andrew Toland from 13 to 9, Conor Devenney from 6 to 14.
The second half started brightly enough for the home side only for Malone to sneak in their third try, which was also goaled.
Service heads didn’t drop and they drove forward at the restart and battered the Malone line for what seemed an eternity, before Jack McLaughlin dived over for a try beside the posts, leaving Andrew Toland the simplest of conversions, to get the Colts scoreboard ticking over.
Service continued to’ up’ their game and gathered momentum, with Johnny Kennedy scoring an unconverted try to bring the score to 12 – 19 to Malone..
Malone sensed a change in attitude and a possible upset from their less experienced hosts and some unwarranted comments from the touchline and one or two players directed at the match official were duly ‘nipped in the bud’ to allow the game to proceed.
Service were now buzzing and full of belief, unfortunately they conceded a soft score to bring them back down to earth. The Malone Out-Half was in fine form and secured another conversion. Civil Service Colts 12, Malone 26.
Self-belief is very important and Service was now oozing surplus quantities of it as they ran in their third try courtesy of Johnny Kennedy to reduce the deficit to 17 – 26 in Malone’s favour.
The home team pushed bravely for another score but time was against the young Colts and this remained the final score.
An entertaining game of rugby and a definite step up in performance and attitude since the start of the season.
Special thanks to the grounds men who kept the pitch playable in such adverse weather conditions, the match official who had to endure some unwarranted comments directed at him and the Service touchline faithful who continue to turn out in all weathers to cheer on their young gladiators.
Player Recruitment
Service continues to welcome new and returning players to all sections of the Club. Youth players are particularly welcome to come and join us at training on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6.30pm – 8pm and help bolster our Youth ranks. For more information please contact Philip Anderson, the Youth Coordinator on 07818 453498 or visit the Club website at www.pitchero.com/clubs/civilservicenirfc every one welcome.
Events
To help raise the profile of Civil Service (NI) RFC, and raise funds, the Mini and Youth sections will be taking part in a bag packing exercise at Asda, Dundonald on Saturday 16 February. Please contact the Mini and Youth Coordinators for more information, or visit the Club website, all assistance greatly appreciated.
Fixtures for Saturday 16th February
NICS 1st XV v Armoy (League – Away)
NICS 2nd XV v Monaghan (League – Home)
Colts TBC
Minis v Holywood (Friendly – Away 10am)
All Saturday fixtures have a 2.30pm kick-off unless otherwise stated.
