Cashel rugby secured a brilliant win on the road ahead of mouth-watering derby clash

All Ireland Rugby League - Division 2A - Round 8

Cashel RFC 20

Old Crescent 6

On Saturday last at Rosbrien, Limerick, Cashel continued their relentless pursuit of Nenagh at the top of Division 2A of the All Ireland League, in round eight, against a very determined and well-drilled Old Crescent outfit whose league position does reflect the talent they have in their team. 

Conditions were dry but the tail end of Storm Elin swished around the pitch and made it difficult for kickers on both teams. However, the game was extremely competitive and entertaining and turned out to be the proverbial game of two halves.

Cashel played with the wind and the hill in the first half and it appeared for the first forty minutes that they were suffering from the dreaded malaria that is complacency as they were dominated for the most part by Old Crescent. They were caught offside after three minutes but defended well and Ben Twomey gained good field position with a monster kick. 

Play was scrappy at this stage but Cashel had an excellent chance on 13 minutes when they unleashed Tom Tobin on the wing to score in the corner only to be called back for having a foot in touch. 

Soon after that they had some possession but kicked the ball dead twice from good positions. The first quarter ended scoreless but Old Crescent went ahead in the 22nd and 27th minutes with two penalties. 

At this stage, Old Crescent were playing all the rugby and it appeared that Cashel were still on the bus in the huge traffic jam that appeared on the Tipperary road as supporters tried to make their way to the game-not all in the traffic jam were going to the game. 

To add to their frustration the penalty count was going very much against them. Tom Tobin saved Cashel with a crunching tackle as Old Crescent almost scored from a beautiful chip through five minutes before half-time. As half-time approached Old Crescent put on the pressure. 

They had a man in the bin but Cashel had two as the cards were flashed like snuff at a wake. Ed Kelly came on to the Cashel team and steadied the ship. Cashel defended bravely with thirteen men. Old Crescent had an excellent chance to extend their lead as they were awarded a penalty 15 metres out in a very kickable position. 

With an extra man, they thought they had a good chance of scoring a try and opted for a scrum. Cashel pushed them off their ball, cleared their lines, and set up a very promising attacking move on the opposition's 22. 

Old Crescent infringed received a yellow card and Ben Twomey narrowed the gap with the penalty. The half-time score was Old Crescent 6 Cashel 3. It did not reflect the trend of the game but did reflect Cashel's ability to defend and left them in a good position after a slow start.

For the first five minutes of the second half Cashel were defending again as Old Crescent used the wind to gain field position. 

Then it was as if somebody flicked a switch and Cashel woke up. The big men began to move. James Ryan, Kieran Ryan, Brendan Ryan, and Ed Kelly led the charge in the pack. Jack Evenden, Jamie Ryan Richard Kingston, and Ben Twomey were prominent in the back line.

They were awarded a penalty on halfway. Kevin O'Connor took a quick tap, the forwards took it on and when the ball was flashed to Jack Evenden he weaved his magic and scored an excellent try under the posts. 

Ben Twomey converted and Cashel led 10-6. They were almost in again six minutes later when they won a scrum penalty against the head on halfway.

The ball went into touch on the 22, the maul was set up but they were pulled back for truck and trailer and the chance was lost.

They were totally on top now and the penalty count began to go in their favour. Another maul ended with a try by Brendan Ryan. His brother Kieran finished off a similar move with five minutes remaining. 

Cashel then went after the bonus point and were almost over for a fourth try as time ran out. They pounded the Old Crescent line but were penalised and the chance was lost. final score Old Crescent 6 Cashel 20.

This was a lively competitive game played in tricky conditions and while Cashel won out in the end there are plenty of areas to work on before the showdown with Nenagh on Saturday at Spafield Cashel. A huge crowd is expected in Spafield and all support would be welcome.

Cashel team (1-20): C O'Donnell, N Fitzgerald, B Ryan, B Crosse, H O'Donoghue, A Butler, K Ryan, J Ryan, K O'Connor, J Evenden, T Tobin, J Ryan, R Kingston, R O'Sullivan, B Twomey, S O'Connell, C Ryan, E Kelly, P Leamy, J Pickering.