15 Pirates are no match for 13 Red Sox
by Stephen Barbour
Malone defeated Buccaneers by 13-8 despite horrendous weather conditions and being reduced to 13 players after two red cards.
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Malone hosted Buccaneers on Saturday at Gibson Park, they had lost their earlier encounter by a narrow margin when the two sides met in Athlone last year, they clearly have revenge on their mind. However what was to transpire was a magnificent display by the entire Malone team in a game played in the most horrendous of conditions, driving rain and strong winds prevailed for most of the game.
The conditions meant it was the team who adapted best were going to prevail and Malone’s tactics were spot on. the Malone pack were superb, and showed well both at the scrum and at the break down, they were relentless in the way they controlled the game, passing opportunities for the backs were very limited and the ball retention was excellent.
The home side got off to the perfect start when after 5 minutes Blindside flanker James McAllister crossed after a superb rolling maul from the Malone pack. Nathan Brown failed to add a difficult conversion in the windy conditions. This gave Malone a 5-0 lead.
Both sides showed great endeavour but it was Malone who were the more clinical at the breakdown, it was the visitors who struck next when out half and danger man Jack Carty scored a penalty to bring the score to 5-3 to Malone.
Malone lost flanker Connor Joyce when he was shown yellow after a late tackle on a Buccaneers player. Malone now reduced to 14 men gelled together and the visitors upped their game and trying use their numerical advantage they pressed hard on the Malone line, whoever the home sides defensive patterns were excellent and the visitors only reward was a single penalty which was missed.
Malone were next on the score sheet when Nathan Brown struck an excellent penalty to advance the Malone score to 8-3. The conditions continued to worsen and Malone continued to play forward orientated rugby and the half close with Malone ahead by 8-3.
The second half continued with the same poor weather conditions, both sides continued to play close in rugby, the visitors had a scrum on their 5m line and after their put in the Malone pack surged forward and the ball suddenly popped out from the side of the scrum and the ever aware Malone scrum half Shane Kelly moved forward collected the ball and crossed the line for a second un converted try. Score now 13-3.
Malone now needed to close the game out, however they were reduced to 14 men when Connor Joyce received a second yellow and subsequently a red card after Malone were penalised when Buccaneers had an attacking scrum. The visitors sensed this was their opportunity to claw their way back into the game. with approximately 15 minutes remaining during a Buccaneers attack the ball was kicked forward and fielded by the Malone full back Peter Henderson who called for the mark. He was struck by a Buccaneers player who appeared to be committed to the tackle however a second Buccaneers player tackled the full back when he was forced into touch with our the ball. as a result a massive brawl took place with a large number of players form both sides, the mele was eventually brought under control and after consultation with his officials the referee showed a red card to Malone’s Corry Tipping, he surprisingly failed to award a yellow card for the second late tackle or the subsequent out break of fighting, this incensed the now very vocal home support.
Reduced to 13 players one may have thought Malone would struggle, however the complete opposite happened the whole team tightened together and each player lifted their game, increased their passion and intensity. the played tight cohesive and smart rugby denying possession of the ball to Buccaneers. the referee played what appeared to be around 6 minutes of injury time, but Malone to their credit with only 13 players showed guts as they continued to close out the game at the death Buccaneers did score after regaining possession alone player made a break and was tackled by Mark Gribben clearly isolated and with support a distance away a penalty looked certain for holding the ball however the referee disagreed and the ball was eventually moved wide for Buccaneers Ben Henshaw to score to leave Malone the winners by 13-8.
No one should under estimate what was achieved by Malone today in a game played in horrendous weather conditions, reduced to 13 players for the last 15 minutes of the game the players showed, commitment, passion and belief, and most of all great tactical awareness to win a superb and richly deserved victory.
The players left the pitch to a resounding chorus of the “Malone Man” by the very vocal and happy home supporters.
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