Men's 1st XV v Instonians - Match Report & Photo Gallery

Rock left Donnybrook last week with cause for optimism despite defeat to the league leaders. Returning players and a strong performance on both sides of the ball gave the group a belief that they could take down an Instonians team, who have only lost a handful of games in the past four years. The inclement weather during the week meant Saturday was a historic occasion as the Alma mater school played host to it's first ever Men's AIL match.

7 of the starting team and 10 of the squad were used to the new surroundings and after 3 minutes you would have been forgiven for thinking that the whole team had been playing here their whole school days. Galvin from Cork broke and found Mangan from Newbridge who in turn found Fortune of Blackrock to open the scoring. 5-0.

Instonians hit straight back and their powerful number 8 crashed over under the posts to take the lead 7-5. Despite the weather, Rock then took control of the game, firstly 3 points from Corkery was followed by a great team try. Skipper Whelan got the ball in open space, he gave it to Waters who gave a one hand out the back pass to McCarthy on the wing to finish. Rock weathered a late storm from the visitors before taking a 13 - 7 lead into half-time. It was then the supporters turn to weather a storm. 

The second half began in significantly worse conditions, and you felt that scores would be at a premium. Rock into a heavy wind knew that the kicking game was going to be difficult. A midfield scrum found their new centre partnership. A 1-2 between Squires and Mangan put Squires away with the full back in his path. He played a lovely grubber which skidded on the 4G surface and bounced into the grateful hands of Waters to slide in in the corner. Another try made in Cork via Newbridge, scored in Rathoath, brilliantly converted in Kilkenny on the grounds of Williamstown. Blackrock College RFC... a club for all!

It was quite appropriate that this was the last scoring play of the match despite 25 minutes left on the clock. A try worthy of winning any match and hopefully a springboard for Rock's second half of the season. The Defence was valiant for the remainder into a gusting wind. To keep this Instonians team scoreless for 70 minutes was a testament to the effort put in. 

Final score Blackrock College RFC 20 - 7 Instonians RFC. Rock are back on the road next weekend to UCC, hoping to follow on this impressive performance. 

Big thanks to the school and their groundsmen for allowing us to use the facilities and the club for facilitating the supporters buses and post-match meal.

It's not ideal to have these great performances outside of Stradbrook, but we won't be giving back the 4 points!

Thanks John Colclough, 1st XV Team Manager, for providing the match report. All photography credits to Lisa Broughan.

Full Photo gallery below: