This was a thrilling game or rugby played in bright sunshine at Belmont. Grosvenor were out of the blocks fastest with a converted try after only two minutes from winger Davy Egner. This was followed by two quick tries from Peter McKeown and Nicky Koch and it looked like a rout may be on the cards. But Malone fought their way back into the game and scored a try to reduce the deficit to 17-7. Simon Patterson then hit the post with a drop-goal attempt from within his own half, thrilling stuff.
Malone scored a great try at the start of the second half to bring them back into the game at 17-14 but Grosvenor’s forwards responded with a well worked try from a rolling maul, Jonny Pedlow getting the touch-down. 22-14. Malone converted a penalty to make it 22-17 and then sensationally took the lead with ten minutes to go with an intercept try. 24-22. However Grosvenor showed great character and despite playing into a strong wind they worked their way upfield and forced a penalty which was converted to restore their lead. They continued to up the tempo of their game and their forwards created a great platform in Malone’s 22 from which Simon Patterson darted under the posts for a try. Davy Egner had the last word with a now trademark burst out of defence from his 22 and a 70 metre dash to the line for a great try. Final score 39-24
A great game of rugby and a great advert for the Junior game. Grosvenor now travel to Ravenhill for their first McCrea Cup Final in over twenty years. There were some big performances today in the Grosvenor ranks and despite Davy Egner’s brace of tries, Mark McAnally’s rampaging runs and Peter Dawson’s athleticism around the park it is flanker Nicky Koch who gets the nod for man of the match.
Seconds take another step closer to the league title
Grosvenor took to the pitch with a few players carrying knocks, however the pace with which they started shook Lisburn. From an early up and under from Burkey the Grosvenor attack hit the Lisburn catcher and immeditaely put the pressure on the home defenders. A barging run by DBo saw the ball moved wide before DBo ended up with the ball in hand again and bullocked his way over the line for the first try which Burkey converted to make it 7 – 0. Grosvenor got a penalty soon after but Burkey pushed the kick wide. A great run by Andy Kenny saw the ball set up for Coatesy to go over for the second try which Burkey converted making it 14 – 0. Lisburn were not able to get their hands on the ball long enough to make any real progress up the field and a further period of Grosvenor pressure saw Burkey drop a goal to make it 17 – 0. Lisburn began to settle into the game and make some good ground themselves, however another flowing move saw Grosvenor go over the line out right with that man DBo coming up with the ball again. The conversion was missed. 22 – 0. From the restart Grosvenor failed to secure the ball and Lisburn pounced to take advantage. A quick move of the ball saw them go over under the posts with the conversion leaving the score at 22 – 7. Grosvenor fought their way back down the pitch and were awarded a penalty for a Lisburn indescretion at the ruck. The kick was missed to leave the score unchanged at half time.
The second half began much like the first and it was not long before Coatesy went over for his second try. The conversion was missed making it 27 – 7. Grosvenor pressed their superiority and after a line out close in managed to maul their way to the Lisburn line and a try looked certain only to see a Lisburn player come in from the side. The referee lost patience and awarded a penalty try which Scott Martin converted making it 34 – 7. Lisburn began to become frustrated and lost discipline and a number of handbags were thrown with some gay abandon but Grosvenor maintained their composure with the assistance of Coach Waffle and the travelling supporters shouting at them. Lisburn did manage to camp themselves in the Grosvenor half for a couple of extended spells and had some nice phases of play however some fine tackling held them out. Grosvenor worked their way down the pitch and saw Fra go over for a fine try which Scotty converted making it 41 – 7. To their credit Lisburn tried to run at Grosvenor and their number 8 made some good ground but on each occasion they came up short. Captain Jack Adams left the field with a sore shoulder leaving Grosvenor a man down but the 14 men did not let anything slip. Another fine break out saw Scott Martin break through the Lisburn defence and go over for another try which he converted to make it 48 – 7. Lisburn pressed and pressed through their big forwards and when the ball was moved out it looked as though they were going to get another score but again came up short out right with the ball going into touch and the ref blew the final whistle.
Their were a lot of positives from the match including Peter Dawson’s fantatsic line out work, Russell Hunter’s fine runs, big tackling by all the backs and some great work from young Stephen Whitten. Overall this was a great performance and the team showed they deserve to be on top of the league.
