12 February 2024
Hello Everyone,
What did we promise? Entertainment – you got it. Suspense – you got it. An ‘until next time’ cliffhanger plot – you are getting it. But you are also getting the most commitment from a team week in week out that you’re likely to see.
There are arguments to suggest that we could have won the away game to Naas with more of a buffer or secured the win earlier in the game, but bear in mind that this is a Naas side fresh off two good wins against Buccaneers and UCC, a side that we managed to overcome by 3 points in our home fixture. These are a tough side and know their way around 1b. To beat them on their patch and secure a bonus point win is a great result and puts us back in 3rd place in a highly competitive league – we’re on 39 points with second place Belvedere who are only ahead on the basis of points difference. We have them at home in a few weeks. To be at this point of the season and in contention, at the moment, for play-offs in our first season back is a testament to these guys, the coaching staff, management and all who support them and believe in them.
Now, to focus your mind: our next opponent this coming Saturday – Wesley!
These guys are separated from us by one solitary point but they have actually won more matches than anyone else bar Mary's. They were deducted 3 points earlier in the season for an administration error (and we felt they had every reason to feel aggrieved), yet they have clawed their way back to 4th spot with 8 wins and a huge head of momentum.
They put 42 points on Buccaneers last Saturday and that is not easy to do. They put 35 points on UCC the previous Saturday and 38 points on Highfield the week before that! This is a serious side, recovering lost ground from early in the season at a rapid pace. Dare I suggest this could be our biggest challenge yet?
A huge physical battle awaits. Just when you thought we might be getting a breather, that you could stand on a sideline and enjoy a match in a relaxed manner. Not a chance. This is going to be war. This Wesley team will take some stopping but I know a group of fellas who are up to the task. The entertainment is set to continue.
The women’s fixtures at the weekend include AIL versus Wicklow at home 5pm on Saturday, so we are all there. The J's away to Tullamore on Sunday at 1pm. On that note – The J’s had a pretty spectacular result on Friday night in the school against Trinity, winning 103-0 with Maggie Boylan scoring just the 7 tries! Well done team, and well done Maggie.
The Men's J1 XV play Greystones at home on Friday evening at 7:30pm - a great way to kick off a weekend of rugby at Stradbrook. Friday night lights.
So, Saturday – 2:30pm. Blackrock College RFC v Wesley RFC – this will be nail biting and not for the faint hearted. Inches and Yards folks. The show must go on.
See you out there.
Paul
Paul Flavin
President 2023-24
Blackrock College RFC
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