Very tough day for Clonmel Rugby Club in Belfast as Instonians win easily

Belfast side Instonians came to this game as the runaway league leaders, not just unbeaten, but with 11 bonus point wins and so this game was always going to be a real test for this developing Clonmel side.

And so it proved.

The Clonmel team who were minus some regular starters, fought hard, and defended resolutely for much of the game, but this Ulster side had too much class, precision and teamwork for the visitors.
A large and eager crowd had turned up at the Shaws Bridge Complex outside Belfast for the game and the early exchanges were evenly matched, as both teams tested each other out.

An early Clonmel attack was halted when the ball was robbed by the home side flanker, which prompted a counter attack up the left wing that was defused by good scramble defence. Great defending resulted in a penalty to Clonmel, however Instonians then stole the lineout and, like good teams do, exploited the transition for the winger to score in the corner after 12 minute (which was not converted).

Instonians then gained the edge and deployed multiple attacks. An accurate crossfield kick stretched Clonmel, but the scramble defence held. After 18 minutes however a slick passage of play between forwards and backs breached the Clonmel defence for the second time. The try was converted for a score of 12-0 to the home team.

Clonmel worked hard to get back in the game, however one-off runners were isolated and turned over. Clonmel’s lineout defence was solid, including a Jack Lonergan steal. An ambitious attempt to play out of defence led to a knock-on and turnover to Instonians who again pounced to score their third try on 35 minutes.

There was still time in the first half for a harsh yellow card for Alex Sheehan; the home side out-half exploited the advantage with a crossfield kick for the centre to score under the posts, which was converted for a half time score of 26-0.

The second half proceeded in a similar way, with fierce Instonians pressure through a dominant scrum and maul, excellent running backs and tremendous tactical kicking resisted by strenuous Clonmel defence.

With the bonus point secured by half-time, the hosts played with abandon, attacking at every opportunity. The under pressure visitors made forced and unforced errors, and the punishing scores kept on coming.

Clonmel unloaded the bench midway through the half, with Aidan Hickey having a fine game, and Stathis Papadopolos seeing action also.

While inevitably the defensive intensity dipped toward the end, the team kept defending, and attacked when the opportunity arose. However this was an utterly dominant display by an excellent Instonians team who are totally dominating the Division 2C of the AIL.

NEXT UP BALLINA ON FEBRUARY 18 IN AIL
The team now have a two- week break before the next game, at home in Ard Gaoithe on Saturday, February 18 against Ballina,

The squad must use the time to work on the lessons from this heavy defeat, and prove to themselves that they are a better team than this scoreline suggests.

Clonmel Squad: Niall Campion, Rob Wynn, Brandon Delicato, Jack Lonergan, Diarmuid Brannock, Brian O’Dea, Diarmuid Devaney, Dan Hosek, Alex Sheehan, Albert Fronek, Ross Slattery, Luke Noonan, Andrew Daly Dean Slattery, Dylan Cadogan, Sean Sweetman, Stathis Papadopolos, Tim Nugent, Aidan Hickey, Sean McEntagart, Billy Coffey, Liam Ryan.