Cashel excels on the road once again to nick an impressive win away to Barnhall

All Ireland League - Division 2A - Round 6

Barnhall 19

Cashel RFC 24

Cashel travelled to Parsonstown, Leixlip on Saturday last to take on the local club Barnhall in round 6 of the All-Ireland League Division 2A.

For the second weekend in a row second-placed Cashel were playing the third-placed team - Barnhall being only one point behind. In the five previous games between the clubs in Division 2A, Barnhall had won three, scoring 92 points and Cashel two, scoring 93 points.

A tight encounter was anticipated and true to form the supporters were treated to a top quality game, played in a wonderful spirit before a large crowd. Underfoot conditions were solid but wet, with a wind blowing straight across the field not favouring either team.

Cashel soaked up some early pressure, as Barnhall played a running game but missed a penalty after six minutes, which was a chance to go ahead.

Cashel got back into Barnhall territory but did not break down the solid defence. There was concern for a while as Ed Kelly was taken out in the air but no penalty was given and thankfully he recovered.

Cashel were strong in the scrum where Cormac O’Donnell, Dylan Foley, Brendan Ryan and later Niall Fitzgerald and Cathal Ryan were very strong. They were penalised once on 17 minutes. Ben Twomey covered well at full back and put in some excellent clearances to give Cashel field position.

Cashel then got their own scrum penalty and from there on they had the better of the exchanges in this area. Cashel were held up on the line after a number of phases.

On the half-hour, a Ben Twomey kick earned them a 50/22. From the lineout, they drove to the line. Barnhall were penalised three times but Cashel opted for scrums. Ciaran Ryan picked at the back of the third scrum and touched down. However, the referee awarded a penalty try. It took 32 minutes for that first score to be registered.

Barnhall came back at Cashel and kicked a penalty to the corner but Cashel once again soaked up the pressure and ended the half leading by 7-0. The low scoring would suggest a poor game but that first half was very entertaining, with some wonderful running rugby and hard tackling.

Cashel came roaring out of the blocks after half time and kept the pressure on the home side for a full five minutes. There was some wonderful combination play between backs and forwards. Brendan Crosse surged over for a try, which Ben Twomey converted to put Cashel 14-0 ahead.

The Barnhall response was immediate. Their kickoff came high into the Cashel 22. The defence failed to secure the ball, which came to ground and was hacked on by an onrushing forward. A Barnhall attacker won the race to touch down but there was a doubt, as the general feeling was that the ball was well over the dead ball line.

Unfortunately, there are no TMOs at these games so officials must make immediate decisions in real time. The try was given and Barnhall were back in the ball game.

This score gave the home team a lift and piled the pressure on Cashel. The pack were kept busy, as Barnhall came at them in waves. Aidan Butler, Brendan Crosse, Ed Kelly, James Ryan and Ciaran Ryan stepped up. Ben Twomey and Jack Evenden played Cashel out of trouble with excellent clearances.

On 61 minutes Ben Twomey steadied the ship with a penalty on the 10 metre line to edge Cashel 17-7 ahead.

Seven minutes later Barnhall were awarded a penalty on halfway. Their lively scrum half took it quickly and in the blink of an eye, Barnhall were in for a converted try.

This was a warning for Cashel but they responded immediately. Ben Twomey sent a huge kick into the Barnhall 22. The onrushing forwards gained possession and went through the phases. The ball was whipped to Jamie Ryan and with a powerful burst of speed and a sidestep he was in under the posts for a try. Ben Twomey converted.

Cashel were now thinking that this was try bonus-point territory but Barnhall had other ideas. They came back at Cashel again and with four minutes left they were pressing hard. Cashel were penalised, conceded a penalty and lost a man to the bin. Barnhall capitalised and got in under the posts for their third try, which put them in losing bonus point territory.

Cashel, however, closed the game out and secured a very important win on the road. It keeps them in second place and stretches their lead over third-placed Barnhall to four points. Nenagh remains unbeaten and continue to head up Division 2.

Cashel team (1-20): C O’Donnell, D Foley, B Ryan, B Crosse, E Kelly, A Butler, J Ryan, C Ryan, J Pickering, J Evenden, T Tobin, J Ryan, R Kingston, J O’Sullivan, B Twomey, N Fitzgerald, C Ryan, H O’Donoghue, P Leamy, J O’Rourke.