Swords On Course For Top Three Finish

October 18th, 2009

CYM 13 Swords 30

HIGH-FLYING Swords remained on course for a top-three finish in Pool 2 of Leinster League Division 3 with a four-try win over CYM on Sunday. Sublime attacking play, matched with stern defence ensured the Greens left Terenure with a well-deserved victory, while picking up another all-important bonus point to boot.

Swords now lie second in the six-team pool, three of whom will qualify for the top section of the league, and have their destiny very much in their own hands, with two fixtures remaining.

In a match constantly on the bubble, reflecting some 15 years of rivalry, the visitors looked to play open rugby and duly came out on top in a physically brutal encounter. Dave Gallagher's try in the opening minutes reflected the type of play Swords have been developing over the past two seasons: offloading, recycling at the ruck and swift hands.

CYM responded strongly and the Greens held solid for a good quarter of an hour, with Matt Corbett, Mick Finglas and skipper Mal Bradley prominent in a resolute defence, which managed to ship two penalties, one of which was missed.

With the Swords scrum taking the CYM set-piece apart, the tide turned in their favour and it was no surprise when the Fingal side built on their ascendancy. A misfire at the lineout fell in the Green's favour and prop John Condron, who was man of the match, plucked it at the tail and ran 30 metres through the heart of the home side's defence.  Quickly-recycled ball and more good hands saw centre Ross McBride touchdown in the corner, giving his side a 12-6 lead coming towards the interval.

Outhalf Mattie O'Reilly continued his impressive form in only his second outing, slotting two penalties to give Swords an 18-6 half-time lead. The second half was a familiar story, with the visitors soaking up all CYM could throw at them, typified by Aidan Forkan, who produced an excellent cover tackle to prevent a certain breakaway try.

More good work up front saw the pack rumble over the goal-line, only to be held up, before the try of the game, originating from a clever box kick in their own ‘22', from scrum-half, Conor Greenan. The ball was recovered and superb handling and off-loading in the tackle saw Swords move the ball from their own 10m line, resulting in a walkover for O'Reilly, who converted his own try.

Their fourth score came from great work by the forwards in midfield, winning a turnover in midfield and the now trademark off-loads saw McBride cross for his second try with ease.There was still time for CYM to be awarded a dubious late try, though by that stage the ALSAA-based side were home and dry.

Having racked up an average of six tries in their last four games, Swords can look forward to next Sunday's tie against bottom side Carlow IT with confidence, while their progress may hinge on a crunch final pool game with Wexford. However, if they continue to defend their line with a similar passion and attack with the same vigour, they'll surely do enough to progress to the next stages.

SWORDS RFC: A. Forkan; D. Gallagher, L. Guyomarc'h, R. McBride, J. Beikmanis; M. O'Reilly, C.Greenan; J. Condron, M. Bradley (c), B. Dolan; A. McLoughlin, M. Corbett; F. Coll, M. Finglas, S. Mulligan.

Subs: A. Zvidris, R. Merrigan, B. McArdle, L. Price.