Malone 19 vs 8 Blackrock College
Ulster Bank League – Division 1B
Malone took the most of their opportunities to defeat Backrock College by 19-8
Malone played Blackrock College in their penultimate game of the 2012 – 2013 Season. The two sides had met earlier in the season and Malone had come off second best when the sides met at Stradbrook, with Malone losing by 23-20 in a closely fought game.
It could be said as both teams were in a secure position in the League table there wasn’t much to play for, but that could not have been further from the truth.
1st half highlight
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A single penalty from Malone’s out half Josh Pentland was the sum total of the scoring in the opening half giving Malone a 3-0 lead.
The opening half saw Blackrock come on the offensive and they showed well in both set pieces, their line out was impressively solid and they caused some problems for the Malone pack at scrum time. Both sides were competitive at the breakdown and always looking for opportunities to steal the ball and make ground into their opponents half.
Both sides found holding onto the ball difficult any many attacking moves broke down as a result. Malone were finally rewarded with a penalty on 31 minutes and sure footed out half Josh Pentland was on target to give Malone a 3-0 lead.
They lost their captain Glen Moore to a yellow card but were able to finish the half without conceding any further points. Rock continued to apply pressure but were unable to convert that pressure into points.
The second half started well for Malone a scum on their 10m line gave them a platform to launch an attack, scrum half Shane Kelly kept the back line well fed and the Malone forwards maintained great possession giving the home side plenty of forward momentum. Breaks from Josh Pentland and centre Mark Gribben saw play cross into the Blackrock half, the visitors infringed at the breakdown and Malone won the penalty which Josh Pentland struck sweetly to give Malone a 6-0 lead.
Both sides enjoyed periods of possession but Malone again from a scrum to play forward the ball was moved wide towards the wing, centre Johnny Burgess realised there was nothing on and put in a superb grubber kick which forced the Rock fullback to take the ball into touch.
2nd half highlights
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The resultant line out saw Malone again drive play deep into the rock half, there was hardly a Malone player who didn’t lay hands on the ball and the pack eventually crossed the line for what looked to be a try, however the referee awarded Malone a penalty in front of the posts for an earlier infringement and once again Josh Pentland added his third penalty to give his side a 9-0 lead.
Blackrock responded with a penally to reduce the arrears to 9-3. Malone added their opening try on 54 minutes when after an attacking scum in the Rock 22m line the ball was passed inside to Kelly who passed inside to Burgess and to Alcorn before the ball was returned to him, he looked to move the ball wide, but glimpsed a gap and evade a Rock prop as he ran into set the ball under the posts.
Josh added the conversion to give Malone the lead by 16-3. The visitors upped their game and pressured the home defence, an infringement allowed them to kick to the club house corner. In a text book fashion Blackrock carried a superb example of a catch and drive, Malone decided to to contest the line out but the Rock pack once in possession just bulldozed over the line to score a try, the conversion was wide of the target.
The score now now 16-8 both sides were looking for the next score but it was Malone agin benefited when once again the visitors infringed, Josh Pentland stepped up to claim his 4th penalty of the day and give Malone a deserved victory by 19 -8.
This was an excellent game of rugby contested by both sides, Malone made more of their scoring opportunites, a great win over a good team.
