Crucial Bonus Point Sees Swords Through

November 11th, 2009.

Wexford 22 Swords 17

A DAVE Moore try five minutes from time gave Swords a crucial losing bonus point away to Wexford on Sunday and ensured the Fingal men cemented their place in the top tier of Leinster League Division 3. Having trailed 22-7 coming into the closing stages, the Greens dug deep and racked up a vital 10 points to leave the margin at less than seven, thus attaining an additional league point.

Indeed, the 21 tries racked up by Swords over their five games ultimately saw them claim third spot in pool two and Chris Keane's side finished their group with the highest try tally and bonus points accrued. Both sides were off target with initial early penalties, though it was Wexford who eventually slotted over for an early lead in a game dominated by the forwards, before each side were reduced to 14.

Following a warning from the referee over offences in the ruck, Swords lost centre Ross McBride for 10 minutes, while the home side also had a man sin-binned. Wexford made the most of the shortage in the visiting backline and ran in from close range to go 10-0 up, before Swords responded strongly.
A long kick from out half Mattie O'Reilly eventually fell to winger Dave Gallagher, who hacked through to ground. O'Reilly's conversion made it 10-7 at the interval.

Wexford upped the pressure in the second half and although Swords held firm, their line was eventually breached twice shortly after, leaving the Greens 22-7 behind and their ambitions on the brink. However, a stirring fightback from the forwards turned the tide and when O'Reilly knocked over a smart drop-goal, the momentum was very much with the visitors.

After setting up camp in the Wexford 22, Swords won a scrum against the head and following several charges from the forwards, scrum half Moore got over for a vital try which O'Reilly converted. With five minutes on the clock, both teams went for broke, but the scoreboard didn't change and the two sides booked their place in the top group for the second phase of the league.

In a tale of the forward packs, the Swords eight were outstanding, especially given the likes of Matt Corbett, Dave Reilly, Shane Mulligan and Rob Merrigan were either injured or replaced. Swords captain Mal Bradley said. ‘I thought we had blown it last week with the draw at home with Carlow. ‘But hats off to the players on Sunday. There was a huge effort put in to get a losing bonus point.‘The work that was put in pre-season by Matt Corbett and the training by coach Chris Keane has reaped rewards, in that we now have a decent squad to pick a team from. We have been able to progress so quickly and have an ability to play decent rugby.   ‘Hopefully we can kick on from here and compete in the top league.'

SWORDS RFC: A. Forkan, D. Gallagher, A. Flaherty, R. McBride, J. Beikmanis; M. O'Reilly, D. Moore; D. Reilly, M. Bradley (c), B. Dolan; M. Corbett, F. Coll, R.Merrigan, M. Finglas, S. Mulligan. Replacements used: J. Condron, J. Gaule, A. McLoughlin, D. Garry, B. McArdle.