Rock entered the weekend in fifth position on the league following back to back wins over Shannon and Naas. The task in hand this weekend was UCC and a chance to leap frog them in the table.
A blustery day in Stradbrook with the conditions playing havoc with both teams. Rock adapted quickest and after a few strong driving mauls by the forwards, the backs got the ball wide for Barry Galvin to score his first of the game. O'Shaugnessy judged the wind perfectly with the conversion from the sideline.
Rock continued their dominance and added a further 3 from the boot of the aforementioned out-half. The game was a battle taking place mostly in the middle of the park until Rock got another penalty and went back to the corner. Again, the forwards began to rumble, and again, the backs managed to get the ball to Galvin, this time courtesy of a brilliant cross kick by Mangan, for his second of the game.
15-0 Half time.
If the first half was a battle then the second half was exactly that. Neither team could find a breakthrough. Great work at the breakdown and some big carries by Burke and Fortune wrestled back the ascendancy for Rock and eventually they crossed the line for their third. Good work at close quarters opened up space for the backs and a bounce pass from O'Shaugnessy found Colclough and he scored under the clubhouse.
UCC managed to get their first of the game with about ten to play as they went in search of a losing bonus point. 20-5 and the game looked destined to finish that way until Rock got one last penalty. Again, they went to the corner and a rolling maul with almost the whole team ended in hooker Liam McMahon dotting down to the delight of the home fans for the try bonus point.
25-5 to Rock and up into the playoff spots in fourth. One final game before Christmas in a Dublin derby against Dublin University.
All support welcome!
FT: Blackrock College RFC 25 - 5 UCC
Photo images and gallery below provided by John Crothers, JC Sports Photography.
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