Austin Tour '08
33 members of Swords RFC embarked on their annual tour recently, with Austin, Texas this year's destination. A forward dominated touring party managed to overcome a more balanced Austin RFC in a game that took place in 80 degree plus heat despite the evening kick-off.
The game due to the weather was played in four quarters with well earned water breaks on the 15 minute markers.
The well watered pitch, one of three at the fantastic Austin facilities insured a fast and open contest with the usual fierce hits that these transatlantic games always bring.
The first five minutes showed that Swords could dominate the game up front. Although they had a rookie back line they could count on the experienced Rossi Carroll, a former Fingal Independent Sportstar of the month winner, at scrum half and flanker Rob Merrigan at 12 held the Austin back line in check.
A big double hit by Richie Cowman and Merrigan in midfield in one of the first plays of the game resulted in Swords turnover and a quick attack saw a lineout gained. After some big surges from the pack carroll squeezed over from 5 yards. Dave Cahill converted easily.
Despite the referees' constant reappraisal of the ruck and maul law swords managed to continue to assert control upfront and Swords crossed again following yet more good work from the forwards.
The water break allowed the USA side to regroup and bring on reinforcements whilst Swords shuffled the pack bringing on even more experience in the form of Derek Brennan amongst others.
The break and the soaring heat seemed to effect Swords the greater and they struggled to achieve the dominance they had in the first quarter but some more big hits from Cowman, O'Kelly, Mulligan and Corbett kept the home side at bay. Captain Mulligan suffered concussion in one such hit and was taken off. The third and fourth quarters were a repeat of the second as the referee continued to reapparaise the ruck and maul laws. The penalty count, which read 34-5, tells its own story.
As it was Swords continued to press up front and had their reward with another try although Cahill lised the conversion from a wide angle.
With minutes to go and following a huge hit from man of the match Corbett the ball was turned over in the last minute of the game and Swords broke down field. With prop Mal Bradley now at 9 it was no surprise to see him bundle over from half a yard from the back of a ruck. Cahill converted with the last kick of the game to give Swords a 24-0 win.
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