Boot boys rule okay !
March 1996
RUGBY: Connaught SENIOR CUP 6 March1996
Westport.....................6 Sligo.......................... 6
Westport entertained Sligo in the first round of the Connaught Senior Cup in Carrowholly. The game was evenly matched as neither side exerted supreme control on the game. The home side played the better rugby in the first 40 minutes and the visitors exerted themselves in the latter half.Sligo played with a wind advantage in the first half and the home side cancelled out any environmental advantage by responding with a hard hitting rucking game. Westport controlled the lineouts and, after some initial difficulties in the scrum, settled to hold their own in the set pieces after about 15 minutes.
The home side were the first to score after five minutes when a Sligo player made a high tackle on one of the Westport backs. Eddie Walsh was on song with the attempt to give the home side a 3 - 0 advantage.
The visitors came back however but Mark Boland was slightly off target with a penalty attempt after ten minutes. Sligo got the reward for their efforts after 11 minutes when Boland slotted a good penalty 3 - 3.
The home side responded well and Pat Staunton kicked a good penalty after 20 minutes to make it 6 - 3. This score line remained statutory until half time, with play being very much 50/50 for the remainder of the half.
Westport started the second half and immediately the visitors came forward to counteract the score line. Mark Boland was just wide with a penalty attempt after 15 minutes. However, he fully accepted another attempt after 18 minutes to level the scores.
Both sides had opportunities to settle it in the closing quarter with penalty attempts but all went amiss.
In the first half Bert Farrell and Stephen Lunney did some sterling work in the lineouts for Westport winning important 50/50 ball. Marius Bourke contributed well around the pack and John Ryan made valuable ground peeling off loose rucks. In the back line Tadgh Cannon made inroads up the wing and was by far the best back for Westport.
The replay is in two weeks. It should be an interesting encounter.
WESTPORT:
D. Peacock, R. Coakley, P. Grimes, B. Farrell (Capt.), S. Lunney, J. Ryan, M. Bourke, B. Hanrahan, D. Reidy, P. Staunton, T. Cannon, J. McCormack, M. Henehan, D. Hastings, E. Walsh.40 minutes S. Fabby for J. Ryan
FUTURE FIXTURES:
Next weekend Westport play Our Lady's Boys club in the first round of the Connaught Junior Cup. Kick off on Sunday in Carrowholly at 3 pm.Connaught Telegraph - News - Mar 1996
Connaught Telegraph - Sports - Mar 1996
