On Saturday night last our senior team exited the junior plate losing 3 – 21 at home to Ballinasloe.The story of the match can again be put down to our lack of a stable set piece, both at scrum and line out. At any level of rugby, if you have not an adequate set piece you will not win games and this was highlighted at the week end.

For the first quarter the game was played in the middle third of the pitch and Creggs were able to contain a Ballinasloe side who, even though having a lot of possession were content with moving the ball from side to side. On 25 minutes we conceded a scrum penalty which was duly kicked by their outhalf. After half an hour Mark Hester replaced an injured Larry Mannion in the front row and just before half time we conceded another converted penalty leaving us 6 nil down at the turn.

Paul Turley came on for Alan Glennon on 44 minutes and two minutes later Noel Flynn slotted a penalty to get us on the board.The scored did not change for 10 minutes but after taking a clean lineout on our 22 Ballinasloe were able to maul all the way over for an unconverted try.Another penalty from a scrum infringement left it 3 -14 with 22 minutes remaining.Gareth McElhone was introduced for Peter Lohan on the wing in the 65th minute.

After sustained pressure Ballinasloe were able to burrow over from close in and the successful conversion finished the scoring in the 75th minute.

Next up is a return to the league program and hopefully some of our forward issues can be resolved.

Team Sean Higgins, Enda Garvey,Larry Mannion,Alan Glennon,Ray Cassidy,Trevor Mee,Kevin Brandon,Tom Callaghan,Enda Gavin,Noel Flynn,Barry Egan,Berney Kilcommins (capt),Peter Lohan,Kieran Ryan,David Brandon.