Swords Pay The Penalty at Railway

October 4th, 2009

Railway Union 27 Swords 13

SWORDS paid the ultimate penalty on Sunday as a succession of place kicks saw them go down to an opening day loss at Railway Union, when they deserved better.The Greens dominated for large periods of the game and were well in control in most facets of play.

However, a range of converted penalties and two late tries cost them dear in the end, though the harsh lessons learned can only make them stronger as the season progresses. A howling wind played havoc with the lineouts, though Swords could and should have been a try ahead in the opening three minutes, but for a deliberate knock-on from a Railway hand as the goal-line beckoned.

The Greens turned down three kickable penalties, instead choosing to exert more pressure up front, and in the end, it proved costly. That said, Railway rarely produced anything threatening in attack and their scores were more out of luck than any real creativity, their steady place kicking giving them a 9-6 half-time lead, with Aiden Forkan knocking over two penalties for the visitors.

The second half saw Swords step up a gear, with Mal Bradley, Matt Corbett and Mick Finglas all excelling in the loose. They set up camp in the Railway ‘22', but despite going close, they couldn't find the crucial score, failing to convert pressure into points. Disaster then struck in the closing stages, as a 50m penalty bounced off the cross bar and into the waiting hands of Railway attacker, who grounded with ease.

Swords responded well and mustered what proved to be their only try, thanks to the individual brilliance of flanker Mick Finglas. Corbett turned a ruck over and back-row Finglas burst through from just inside the Railway half, slicing the home defence in two, before touching down under the posts.

Forkan coverted and the visitors continued to press home, before disaster struck once more, as the home side grabbed an intercept try to stretch the lead further. Swords were left to rue their missed opportunities, but can take solace in a solid start. They next face Arklow in their first home time, this Sunday, October 11 th, at ALSAA.

SWORDS RFC: A. Flaherty; J. Beikmanis, L. Guyomarc'h, R. McBride, D. Gallagher; A. Forkan, C. Greenan; D. Reilly, B. Dolan, M. Bradley (c), A. McLoughlin, M. Corbett; A. Richmond, M. Finglas, S. Mulligan.Subs used: L. Price, J. Condron, N. Gamble, D. Grogan.